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Two of this summer's biggest international basketball events get underway next week with the start of the FIBA Americas Championship and the EuroBasket 2015 tournament. The FIBA Americas gets underway on Monday, August 31 in Mexico with the championship game scheduled to take place on September 12. EuroBasket tips off on Saturday, September 5 with the championship game scheduled for September 20. The Atlanta Hawks will be represented well in both tournaments as assistant coach Kenny Atkinson will lead the Dominican Republic at the FIBA Americas while point guard Dennis Schröder hopes to guide Germany back to the Olympics at EuroBasket.
FIBA Americas
Atkinson and the Dominican Republic look to grab one of the two spots at the 2016 Olympics that are up for grabs at the FIBA Americas. They will have to do it without one of their key players as Hawks center Al Horford elected not to play this summer and instead focus on the upcoming season. Horford is entering the final year of his contract with the Hawks and figures to be one of the most sought after free agents on the market next summer.
The FIBA Americas is made up of 10 teams split into two groups of five. Round one will consist of pool play where the top four finishers in each group advance to the second round. The top four finishers of the second round will advance to the third round where a Final Four style playoff will happen to determine the champion. While the two finalists will earn spots in the Olympics, the third, fourth and fifth place teams will qualify for the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be held next summer and will be the last opportunity to qualify for the 2016 games.
The Dominican Republic will be part of Group A which also includes Mexico, Panama, Brazil and Uruguay. While Brazil is participating in the FIBA Americas, they have already earned a spot in the 2016 Olympics as the host nation. Therefore many of their regular players are sitting this tournament out including newly acquired Hawks center Tiago Splitter.
Here is a look at the first round schedule for the Dominican Republic:
Monday, August 31
Dominican Republic vs Mexico - 9:20 p.m. ET WatchESPN
Tuesday, September 1
Brazil vs Dominican Republic - 6:50 p.m. ET WatchESPN
Wednesday, September 2
Dominican Republic vs Panama - 12:50 p.m. ET WatchESPN
Thursday, September 3
Uruguay vs Dominican Republic - 12:50 p.m. ET WatchESPN
EuroBasket 2015
Dennis Schröder joins Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and new Utah Jazz center Tibor Pleiss as they look to secure a spot in the 2016 Olympics for Germany. The top two finishers in the tournament will earn spots in Rio, while teams finishing 3rd through 7th will earn spots in the Qualifying Tournament for next summer.
The Tournament is made up of 24 teams split into four groups of six. Germany will compete in Group B which also includes Iceland, Turkey, Spain, Serbia and Italy. The top four finishes in each group will advance to the knockout round which consists of a 16-team bracket style tournament.
Here is a look at Germany's first round schedule:
Saturday, September 5
Germany vs Iceland - 8:50 a.m. ET WatchESPN
Sunday, September 6
Serbia vs Germany - 8:50 a.m. ET WatchESPN
Tuesday, September 8
Germany vs Turkey - 11:35 a.m. ET WatchESPN
Wednesday, September 9
Italy vs Germany - 11:35 a.m. ET WatchEspn
Thursday, September 10
Germany vs Spain - 11:35 a.m. ET WatchESPN