Basketball has been played in the Olympic Games since its introduction in 1936 for men and 1976 for women. The competition features both men’s and women’s tournaments, each with 12 teams, where teams qualify through their respective continental championships and global tournaments. Meanwhile, the host nations automatically qualify.

The rules are set by International Basketball Federation (IBFA), which are four 10-minute quarters, a 24-second shot clock, and a three-point line that is closer than it is in the NBA.  So that the game picks up speed and becomes more cooperative. Teams are split into groups and play against one another in the round-robin group stage of the competition, where the best teams move on to the knockout phase, which consists of quarterfinal, semifinal, and medal matches.

Although the United States has dominated Olympic basketball for a long time—winning multiple gold medals—international competition has become more fierce, with teams from France, Spain, Argentina, and Serbia offering serious threats. In addition to traditional 5-on-5 basketball, the Olympics now feature 3x3 basketball, which debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Games. This half-court version of the game is faster and emphasizes individual skills and quick decision-making.

The Olympics now include 3x3 basketball, which made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, in addition to regular 5-on-5 basketball. The game is played faster in the half-court format, with an emphasis on quick decision-making and individual talents.