Argentina, France drawn with U.S. in men’s hoops

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― The U.S. will play Argentina, France and Tunisia in the first round of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament in London.

The U.S. was drawn into Group A on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, along with the first and second teams in the world qualifying tournament, which will be played in Venezuela in July.

Spain, runner-up to the U.S. in the Beijing Games, was drawn into Group B along with Australia, Brazil, China, Britain and the third qualifier in Venezuela.

The American women’s team was drawn into Group A along with China, Angola and the first, second and fourth teams from the qualifying tournament played in Turkey in June. Group B has Australia, Brazil, Britain, Russia and the third and fifth qualifiers.

The U.S. has won the last four Olympic gold medals in women’s basketball.

For both tournaments, the top four teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals. They will play each other once within the group.

Former Brazil players Hortencia and Paula, silver medalists at the Atlanta Games in 1996, participated in the women’s draw in Rio, which will host the 2016 Games. Oscar, Brazil’s career scoring leader, helped in the men’s draw.