For the first time ever Team USA was overtaken in the FIBA World Ranking by another team, namely, Spain. The reigning European and World champions edged the Americans by just a little more than one point (758.6 points to 757.5 points).
The rankings take into account the results of all team over a period of eight years. Accordingly, this year the results of continental tournaments – EuroBasket for Spain and AmeriCup for Team USA – replaced the 2014 World Cup results where the Americans won Gold and the Spaniards had to settle for the 5th place.
Spain won gold this year while Team USA finished third in the AmeriCup 2022. Draymond Green who has two Olympic Golds (2016 and 2020) did not appreciate the news about the change of the top team in the FIBA World Ranking.
“Dethroned? Stop it,” the four-time NBA champion wrote on his Instagram story in response to the news.
