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FIBA has released a statement confirming that Russia will not be allowed to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The decision was taken due to the war instigated by Russia against Ukraine.
"Following the IOC recommendations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions published on March 28, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided to not allow the registration of the Russian men's national team in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournaments 2023," the organization said in a statement.
Russia were the highest-ranked team in their group, but FIBA has decided to give their place to Bulgaria instead.
Last year, Russia was banned from participating in the FIFA World Cup for the same reason.
The Summer Olympics will start in July of next year.
All you need to know about FIBA World Cup 2023
2023 is a big year for international basketball. For the first time in history, the FIBA World Cup will be hosted by multiple countries. Interestingly, all the countries that have been named hosts for this year's event are located in Asia. Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia have all been named hosts of the World Cup.
The tournament will start on August 25 and end on Sept. 10, if everything goes to plan. It will be Indonesia's first time hosting the World Cup, while it'll be Japan and the Philippines' second time as hosts. Japan last hosted the event back in 2006, while the Philippines hosted it back in 1978.
The World Cup will serve as qualification for next year's Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Former NBA players headline Team USA's FIBA qualifying lineup
Team USA has been at the top of the food chain when it comes to international basketball for quite some time. Given that they produce some of the best players on the planet, they are expected to dominate international tournaments.
Currently, they are without their best players, but that doesn't mean they don't have top-tier players in their lineup. Former NBA guard Langston Galloway is part of Team USA and helped them in the recent qualifying rounds against Uruguay and Brazil.
Another former NBA player who's on the roster is Xavier Moon, who last played for the LA Clippers. The young guard is representing Team USA while he awaits an NBA contract.
You might also be interested in reading this: How are FIBA rules different from NBA rules?
Guess the Lakers players!
