As a longtime basketball analyst who’s followed international hoops for over a decade, I’ve always been fascinated by the unique blend of talent and leadership that emerges during the Olympic Games. When people ask me, “Which teams competed in the 2021 Olympics basketball tournament?” I can’t help but reflect not just on the roster of nations, but on the individual stories that shaped the competition. There were 12 teams in total—split evenly between the men’s and women’s tournaments—and while powerhouse squads like the United States, Spain, and Australia grabbed most of the headlines, it was the quieter transformations, like the one described in your reference about Figueroa, that truly captured my attention. Leadership, after all, isn’t always about the loudest voice in the room; sometimes it’s the player who evolves from a silent contributor into a vocal anchor for their team.

Let’s start with the men’s tournament, which featured some familiar faces and a few surprises. The United States men’s team, led by Kevin Durant and coached by Gregg Popovich, entered as favorites—though, I’ll admit, they didn’t have the smoothest run-up to the gold. France, with Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier, gave them a real scare in the group stage, and I remember thinking how that loss lit a fire under Team USA. Slovenia, making their Olympic debut behind the phenomenal Luka Dončić, were the Cinderella story nobody saw coming. Honestly, watching Dončić dominate was one of the highlights for me—his 48-point opening game felt like a statement to the world. Then you had Spain, Argentina, and Australia, all bringing their trademark discipline and chemistry. Australia, in particular, had been knocking on the door for years, and Patty Mills’ scoring outbursts were a joy to watch. The remaining men’s teams included Nigeria, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Iran. Nigeria’s athleticism stood out, even if their execution wasn’t always consistent.

On the women’s side, the competition was just as fierce, if not more so. Team USA, as usual, set the standard—Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi chasing their fifth consecutive gold is the kind of legacy that gives me chills. But what impressed me most was how other teams closed the gap. Japan, the host nation, played with incredible speed and heart, while Serbia and China brought tactical depth that forced opponents to adjust on the fly. France, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Nigeria, and South Korea rounded out the women’s field. Belgium’s Emma Meesseman was a revelation—versatile, skilled, and impossible to ignore. I’ve always had a soft spot for teams that play with collective intelligence rather than relying solely on star power, and Belgium embodied that. Still, the U.S. women’s dominance, winning their seventh straight gold, reminded everyone why they’re the benchmark.

Now, circling back to that reference about Figueroa—the idea of a player breaking out of their shell and embracing vocal leadership resonates deeply with what I saw in Tokyo. Take Ricky Rubio on the Spanish squad, for example. For years, he was more of a facilitator, letting his play do the talking. But in 2021, he stepped up as a vocal leader, directing traffic and lifting his teammates in crucial moments. Or look at Mills, who transformed from a reliable scorer into Australia’s emotional engine. Leadership shifts like these often decide close games, and frankly, they’re what make Olympic basketball so compelling. It’s not just about the final scores; it’s about players rewriting their roles in real time.

Of course, the tournament wasn’t without its disappointments. I was hoping for more from Argentina’s men’s team, given their storied history, but age seemed to catch up with them. And Iran’s struggles on both ends highlighted the gap that still exists for some developing programs. Still, every team brought something valuable—whether it was Nigeria’s rim-rattling dunks or the Czech Republic’s gritty defense.

When I step back and think about the 2021 Olympics basketball tournament, what stands out isn’t just the list of teams or the medal count. It’s the evolution of players and squads under pressure. Guys like Figueroa, who shun their silent demeanor to become the voice their team needs, mirror the journey we saw in Tokyo—from Slovenia’s fearless debut to Australia’s relentless pursuit of a podium finish. The 12 teams competing were: United States, France, Spain, Australia, Slovenia, Argentina, Nigeria, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Iran, and Japan (men’s); and United States, Japan, Serbia, China, France, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Nigeria, South Korea (women’s). But beyond the names, it was their stories of growth, leadership, and resilience that made the tournament unforgettable. As someone who’s covered this sport for years, I can say the 2021 Games reminded us why basketball, at its best, is a blend of individual brilliance and collective will.