Just the Facts: 2015 Pan American Games Men's Basketball Competition
OFFICIAL EVENT TITLE: 2015 Pan American Games
OFFICIAL TEAM NAME: 2015 U.S. Pan American Men’s Basketball Team
EVENT SITE: Toronto, Canada
EVENT VENUE: Ryerson Athletic Centre
OFFICIAL EVENT INTERNET SITE: Toronto2015.org
2015 PAN AMERICAN GAMES MEN’S BASKETBALL COMPETITION DATES: July 21-25, 2015
USA BASKETBALL TRAINING CAMP DATES: July 6-20, 2015
USA BASKETBALL TRAINING CAMP SITES: U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Toronto, Canada
EVENT DESCRPITION: Started in 1951 for men and 1955 for women, the Pan American Games are held every four years (2015, 2019, etc.) in the year preceding the Olympics and organized by the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Pan American Games is a multi-sport competition open to men and women representing countries from North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.
ELIGIBILITY: Players eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens.
2015 TEAMS (8): Group A: Brazil, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela || Group B: Argentina, Canada, Domincan Republic, Mexico
USA PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE: Venezuela (July 21 @ 9 pm ET), Puerto Rico (July 22 @ 9 pm ET), Brazil (July 23 @ 9 pm ET).
EVENT HISTORY: Held since 1951, the USA dominated the first five Pan Am Games, earning five consecutive golds. At the 1971 Pan Ams, despite a record of 2-1 in the preliminary round, the USA did not advance to the medal round and for the first time in Pan American history did not win the gold medal. However, the United States rebounded for a 26-0 record over the next three Pan Am Games and captured its last Pan Am gold in 1983. Overall, the Americans have earned eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals, and compiled a record of 87-15.
USA PAN AMERICAN GAMES TEAM PLAYERS OF NOTE: Many USA Basketball athletes who have been selected to a Pan American Games team have gone on to compete in the Olympic Games, while many others enjoyed stellar professional careers. In all, 34 Pan Am athletes have been a member of a U.S. Olympic squad, including Ernie Grunfeld, Grant Hill, Luscious Jackson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Danny Manning, Chris Mullin, Emeka Okafor, Sam Perkins, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Isiah Thomas, Jerry West and Jo Jo White.
USA PAN AMERICAN GAMES TEAM HISTORY: Find out more ...