China, US drawn in same group at basketball worlds
(AFP/www.chinadaily.com)
Updated: 2006-01-16 13:56

TOKYO- China have been drawn in the same group with the United States at 2006 World Basketball Championship in Japan. 

Slovenia, Italy, Puerto Rico and Senegal are also in Group D as the United States will take on Puerto Rico to open the tournament, which get under way this August in four cities in Japan.

A total of 24 countries and regions were divided into four preliminary groups for the tournament from August 19 to September 3 after the drawing was held in Tokyo Sunday.

The United States formed a dream team to win the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, but lost to Argentina at last World Championship. US Coach Tooley did not specify players for this year's team.

"We are not looking to put together a team of stars, we are looking to put together a team -- players that comprise the best team," he said.

Tooley said it would be "possible" to include Allen Iverson, who led the team to winning the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics, and Kobe Bryant.

"It's possible, but none has been selected yet, none has been named to a position in the team," he said.

Athens Olympic champions Argentina will lead Group A in Senday against Venezuela, France, Serbia and Montenegro, Lebanon and Nijuria, hoping to avenge their 84-77 defeat to Yugoslavia in the 2002 final.

Spain, who defeated Serbia and Montenegro in the European championships preliminary round last year, will lead Group B, which also includes Panama, Germany, hosts Japan, New Zealand and Angola in Hiroshima.

In Group C in Hamamatsu, Lithuania will take on American continental champions Brazil, European champions Greece, Turkey, Australia and Qatar.

After the round-robin group round, top four finishers from each group will reach the final round to be played in Saitama, near Tokyo, from August 26.