Having spoken about the 2024 USA Men’s Basketball Team, it would be appropriate now to talk about the other side of the coin: Underrated teams that are likely to exceed every single expectation of them when it comes to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. We will rank four of the best yet underrated rosters in this tournament. How far will they come?
Canada
Having their roster full of NBA players, although not as legendary as the US team, is still extremely full of excellent, captivating players that are a threat to everyone in the tournament. However, they are finding themselves in a difficult situation as their group is undoubtedly the most difficult of the Olympics. They are facing Spain, Australia, and Greece to move on to the next phase.
Final Roster: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves), RJ Barrett (New York Knicks), Khem Birch (San Antonio Spurs), Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), Luguentz Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Melvin Ejim (Unicaja Málaga), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Trey Lyles (Sacramento Kings), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks).
Australia
Yet, another team with plenty of NBA solid players is also in Group A. They recently matched against the US team in a friendly match in preparation for the tournament. The team could display excellent basketball levels across the board, showing why they are pretty dangerous on both sides of the basketball court.
Final Roster: Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Jock Landale (Houston Rockets), Duop Reath (Portland Trail Blazers), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Patty Mills (Miami Heat), Joe Ingles (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jack McVeigh (Tasmania JackJumpers), Will Magnay (Tasmania JackJumpers), Matthew Dellavedova (Melbourne United), Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic).
Germany
While they are the reigning World Champions, the Germany Basketball Team is falling under the spotlight this time around for no clear reason, as they have shown dominance over the past, and proved themselves as a clear candidate to advance to the next stages. They are facing France, Japan, and Brazil, which will be no easy challenge for them. However, they are definitely capable of achieving great things.
Full Roster: Isaac Bonga (Bayern Munich), Oscar da Silva (Alba Berlin), Niels Giffey (Bayern Munich), Maodo Lo (Alba Berlin), Andreas Obst (Bayern Munich), Dennis Schröder (Toronto Raptors), Daniel Theis (Indiana Pacers), Johannes Thiemann (Alba Berlin), Johannes Voigtmann (Olimpia Milano), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Nick Weiler-Babb (Bayern Munich).
Greece
Since they did not initially qualified for the Olympics, they had to win the Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece two weeks ago. Obviously, their biggest star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is the main reason they are here, and also why they can compete against the other nations in their group. They may not be well-rested when the time comes, but they have the energy, hunger, and the will to win it all with their country.
Full Roster: Nick Calathes (AS Monaco), Thomas Walkup (Olympiacos), Kostas Papanikolaou (Olympiacos), Georgios Papagiannis (AS Monaco), Dinos Mitoglou (Panathinaikos), Giannoulis Larentzakis (Olympiacos), Vasileios Toliopoulos (Aris), Vasileios Charalampopoulos (Turk Telecom), Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (Panathinaikos), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Dimitris Moraitis (Panathinaikos), Kostas Antetokounmpo (Fenerbahce).
Of course, every team can be underrated compared to the USA Team in this year‘s Olympics. However, every single one of these squads on the list, and many others that are not on the list, are capable of putting up incredible performances throughout the course of the Olympic Games.
text sources: nba.com
