In this article we are going to list the 5 best countries in basketball. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list please take a look at the 16 Best Countries in Basketball.
5. Serbia
Total gold medals in World Cup / Olympics: 2
Total silver medals in World Cup / Olympics: 2
Total bronze medals in World Cup / Olympics: 3
For Serbia, we have also combined Serbia and Montenegro’s medals, back when that was the country name. Serbia’s 2 gold medals came at the 1998 and 2002 FIBA World Cup.
4. Spain
Total gold medals in World Cup / Olympics: 6
Total silver medals in World Cup / Olympics: 1
Total bronze medals in World Cup / Olympics: 5
The reigning world and euro champions are Spain, which is growing significantly in this space, and has the third most gold medals in the sport of any country. Considering Spain’s investment in basketball infrastructure and the level of popularity of the sport in the nation, the future for Spain in basketball looks quite bright and might soon allow it to improve further in our rankings.
3. Brazil
Total gold medals in World Cup / Olympics: 2
Total silver medals in World Cup / Olympics: 3
Total bronze medals in World Cup / Olympics: 6
Brazil may be close to the top among the best countries in basketball, but its actual dominance was over half a century ago, with its two gold medals coming in FIBA World Cups in 1959 and 1963. Its most recent achievement in the world of basketball was the Pan American championship in 2015, which was its sixth such triumph.
2. Russia
Total gold medals in World Cup / Olympics: 8
Total silver medals in World Cup / Olympics: 12
Total bronze medals in World Cup / Olympics: 9
Russia used to dominate basketball along with the United States a few decades ago when it was the Soviet Union. Nowadays, Russia’s dominance in the sport was waned, and with its participation in most sporting competitions a doubt in future years as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, it may be usurped in time.
1. United States
Total gold medals in World Cup / Olympics: 30
Total silver medals in World Cup / Olympics: 5
Total bronze medals in World Cup / Olympics: 7
Easily topping the list of the 15 best countries in basketball is the United States. Home to the NBA, one of the most valuable professional sporting leagues in the world, U.S. domination in the sport can be seen by the fact that the country’s total gold medals are equal to gold medals of all other nations combined. It may not be the current world champion in basketball, but it will take a long time for any other nation to challenge its position as the best country in this sport.
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