Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The tournament followed a format where twelve teams were split into two preliminary round groups of six. The top four from each group advanced to the knockout stage, with quarterfinal matchups determined by group standings. Tie-breaking criteria included head-to-head results and goal average. Each team was limited to twelve players on its roster. Qualification was based on automatic berths for the reigning world champions, host country, and winners of five continental championships, with additional spots determined through FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. Italicized teams in the source qualified via wildcard tournaments.

Reader's Guide

The 2008 Olympic basketball tournament marked the seventeenth time the sport was contested for Olympic medals. Held in Beijing, it featured both men's and women's competitions at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium. The qualification process allowed National Olympic Committees to enter one men's and one women's team of twelve players each, with automatic berths for the host and world champions, plus continental champions. The format ensured that the top four teams from each preliminary group advanced to a knockout bracket, with tie-breaking based on head-to-head results and goal average. Notable flag bearers included Yao Ming for China and Dirk Nowitzki for Germany. The event's structure and qualification system reflected FIBA's standard Olympic procedures, with wildcard tournaments providing final spots.

Did You Know?

• Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics was the seventeenth appearance of the sport as an official Olympic medal event.
• Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.
• Flag bearers included Yao Ming (China), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), and Manu Ginóbili (Argentina).
• Each team was limited to twelve players on its roster.