The 16-time Olympic gold medal-winning United States men’s national basketball team has been dethroned atop the FIBA rankings by Spain, a team that has never finished better than second at any Summer Games.
FIBA, the sport’s governing body, updated its rankings on Friday — and Spain moved into the top spot, a sliver ahead of the US. The four-time defending Olympic champion Americans moved into the top spot after winning the FIBA world championship in 2010, and had been there since.
‘It’s not exactly a new title and it probably can’t be maintained for too long, but it’s something so unique, prestigious and historic that I feel tremendously proud of everyone who … have contributed to it,’ Spain coach Sergio Scariolo wrote Friday on Twitter.
Former Knicks guard Langston Galloway #9 of USA high fives team mate during the game against Uruguay on August 26 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas
FIBA, the sport’s governing body, updated its rankings on Friday — and Spain moved into the top spot, a sliver ahead of the US. (Left) Alberto Diaz Ortiz dribbles for Spain against Italy. (Right) Miquel Salvo Llambrich posts up during a recent game against the Italians
Head coach Jim Boylen of Team USA reacts to a play against Mexico during the second half of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier game at Entertainment & Sports Arena on February 27 in Washington DC
FIBA’s rankings were changed in 2017 to a system that only takes results from the most recent eight years into account. That means the US is no longer reaping the benefits of the 2014 World Cup title, but still is seeing the Olympic gold medals won at Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo factoring into the rankings. The US was only seventh at the 2019 World Cup.
Spain won the last World Cup, plus the EuroBasket title earlier this year. The EuroBasket win was Spain’s fourth in its last six appearances at the continental championship, all of those wins coming under Scariolo.
One issue facing the US is the lack of NBA player participation in World Cup qualifying. With only a handful of former league players, Team USA fell to Brazil, now ranked 13th, and Mexico, which remains outside the top-20.
‘It’s not exactly a new title and it probably can’t be maintained for too long, but it’s something so unique, prestigious and historic that I feel tremendously proud of everyone who … have contributed to it,’ Spain coach Sergio Scariolo wrote Friday on Twitter (pictured)
FIBA’s rankings were changed in 2017 to a system that only takes results from the most recent eight years into account. That means the US is no longer reaping the benefits of the 2014 World Cup title, but still is seeing the Olympic gold medals won at Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo factoring into the rankings. The US was only seventh at the 2019 World Cup
Spain National team during the International Basketball Teams 2023 FIBA qualifier
Some recent NBA players who have contributed for Team USA include Isaiah Thomas, Joe Johnson, Jordan Bell, Langston Galloway, Christopher Chiozza, and Justin Jackson.
Canada, meanwhile, is a perfect 10-0, even without its NBA stars, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins, and RJ Barrett.
Spain is just 1.1 points ahead of the US men now; the margin is 758.6-757.5.
The next 10 spots in the world rankings were unchanged. Australia is third, Argentina — which was No. 1 before the US took that spot in 2010 — is fourth, followed by France, Serbia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Greece, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic.
The US is still ranked No. 1 in women’s basketball by a nearly 200-point margin over China. The Americans rolled to a gold at the women’s World Cup this year, further cementing their spot atop the list.
USA Basketball also holds comfortable leads atop the worldwide boys and girls rankings.
FIBA’s most recent rankings include the men’s national teams from 164 countries, as well as 118 women’s national teams.
The men’s 2023 World Cup will begin in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines in August, when NBA players are expected to suit up, not only for the US, but other teams as well.
Tarik Black #10 of Team USA stands with his hand on his chest during the National anthem before the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier game against Mexico
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