Australian Boomers set tough task to repeat Olympic Games podium finish after group draw reveal

Josh Giddey is on an Olympic collision course with superstar NBA teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the Boomers’ Paris path was revealed.

The Olympic basketball draw was conducted in Switzerland on Wednesday morning (AEST), the Boomers done no favours as they look to defend a historic bronze won in Tokyo three years ago.

Australia’s men will play World Cup bronze medallists Canada as well as qualifiers from two July tournaments that could include Greece, Slovenia or Spain in a stacked Games pool.

Canada’s men have not qualified for an Olympics since Sydney’s 2000 Games.

But they will be among the favourites after Oklahoma City Thunder weapon Gilgeous-Alexander led them to bronze at last year’s World Cup, toppling USA in the medal match.

Their team will be brimming with NBA talent, with Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Kelly Olynyk, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort and Dwight Powell all likely to suit up.

Spain, who enjoy a wicked recent history against Australia at major tournaments, will host a qualifying tournament in July where Poland, Finland, Angola, Lebanon and the Bahamas will also be fighting for one spot.

And Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to pilot Greece’s charge when they host another qualifying tournament that also include’s Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, who Australia beat to win their first Olympic silverware in 2021.

New Zealand, Egypt, Croatia and the Dominican Republic will also play in that tournament, the winner earning a spot in Australia’s pool.

Giddey became the Boomers’ focal point at last year’s World Cup, coach Brian Goorjian with some tough decisions ahead on how to best mix his emerging NBA talent with Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, who are set to play in a fifth Olympics.

Ben Simmons had flagged his desire to feature for the national team for the first time since 2013, but has since been ruled out of Brooklyn’s NBA campaign to have back surgery for the second time in three years.

USA, who have included all the biggest names such as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant in an extended Olympics squad, were drawn in a pool with a Serbia team likely headed by Denver’s two-time MVP and NBA champion Nikola Jokic.

Hosts France will face World Cup champions Germany, Japan and the winner of the qualifying tournament in Latvia.

The world No.3 Opals will play Canada, France and Nigeria, ranked fifth, seventh and 12th in the world respectively.

Bundled out in the quarter-finals in a disappointing Tokyo campaign, Sandy Brondello’s side were impressive in qualifying for a 10th Olympics in February’s Brazil qualifying tournament.

Opals great Lauren Jackson revealed after that tournament she would not go to Paris, but the three-time Olympics silver medallist has since left the door ajar for what would also be a fifth Games campaign.

The tournament runs from July 28 to August 11, with pool action in Lille before finals are played in Paris.