OMNISPORT

Venues: Carioca Arena 1, Youth Arena

Medals available: 6

Dates: Men's  – August 6-21, Women's  – August 6-20

Dominant nations: The United States' women have won gold in five consecutive Olympics, while the US men prevailed over Spain in the final at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and have taken gold in five of the last six Games

Star names: Kevin Durant (USA), Carmelo Anthony (USA), Elena Delle Donne (USA), Pau Gasol (Spain)

More than a century after basketball was invented in a Massachusetts gymnasium, the United States remain dominant on the court in both the men's and women's events. But the Americans know they will always get other countries' best shot at the Olympics, and Rio will be no different.

As has been customary since professionals were allowed into the Olympics in 1992, the US men's team will be the most star-studded of any roster at the Games. Even with a few notable omissions - including LeBron James and reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry - the final 12-man roster assembled by coach Mike Krzyzewski still looks formidable.

High expectations.

In the absence of LeBron and Curry, the position of US poster boy will fall on London 2012 winner Kevin Durant, whose free agency switch to the Golden State Warriors this post-season has made all the headlines in the NBA.

He is joined by double gold medallist Carmelo Anthony and the likes of Kyrie Irving, who recently played a lead role in Cleveland Cavaliers' first NBA title, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.

While the Americans will be heavily favoured, they still remember the lessons of their stunning defeat to Argentina in the Athens 2004 semi-finals and strong challenges from Spain at the last two Olympics.

The Spaniards, led by Pau Gasol, will again look to spoil the party after taking silver in Beijing and London, while perennial medal contenders Lithuania could also make some noise.

Though the US men get more recognition, the American women have proven even more successful in Olympic competition and will look to continue their run of success in Rio.

Not only have the US women won the last five gold medals, they have hardly been made to sweat - their margin of victory in the last five Olympic finals averages 24 points.

They will send an experienced squad to Rio, led by Olympic veterans Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings. But their most dangerous player might just be a newcomer to the Olympic stage.

Elena Delle Donne stands at a centre's 1.95 metres but has the agility, ball skills and shooting touch of a guard. She led the WNBA in nearly every statistical category last season, including her 23.4 points-per-game average, and she has made a remarkable 93.9 percent of her free throws in a three-year professional career.

A back injury kept her from the 2014 FIBA Women's World Cup, so Rio will mark her debut on the major international scene.

Australia have been close on the Americans' heels for some time, with three silver medals and two bronze in the last five Games, but look out also for hosts Brazil, two-time Olympic medallists.