The 2011 FIBA Americas will take place in Mar Del Plata, Argentina and the final group pairs have been announced. The tournament runs from August 30 – September 11, 2011 and will give a berth to the two top teams a chance at Olympic glory in London 2012.
Canada’s National Men’s Basketball Team, currently ranked 23rd in by FIBA has been paired with #7 Brazil, #22 Venezuela, #30 Dominican Republic and unranked Cuba.
Many questions are still unanswered for a Canadian National team that hasn’t qualified for the Olympics since the Sydney Australia games in 2000.
Canada managed to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey by upsetting an NBA loaded Dominican Republic at the 2010 FIBA Americas in Puerto Rico.
Many Canadian basketball fans would much rather forget about the 2010 FIBA world championships, where Canada competed well but finished win less (0-5) despite holding comfortable leads against some of the worlds powerhouses.
The road to Olympic glory is never easy, especially in the FIBA Americas qualifying zone, which features a strong contingent of South American teams which are well represented by NBA players. This time around, we can expect fresh faces on Canada’s National team due to a major influx of young Canadian talent.
The bigger question is who will Head Coach Leo Rautins select to give thirsty Canadians hope of seeing the Red and White flag wavering at in London 2012?
Group A Group B Canada Argentina Dominican Republic Puerto Rico Brazil Uruguay Venezuela Panama Cuba Paraguay
