Qualified Team Focus - Mexico: Veterans aim for one last shot at the Olympics

MIES (Switzerland) - It is now time to meet the six teams in this FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Puerto Rico with the dream of becoming Olympic champions this summer.

Here is the number 25 team in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike, the 1936 Olympic bronze medalists Mexico. The Americas side have participated in seven Olympics but have not reached the global stage since 1976.

How they qualified

Mexico were playing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 after missing out on China 2019. They were drawn into Group D in the Philippines and stumbled out of the gates with a 91-71 loss to Montenegro. Mexico dropped a second straight loss as they were outclassed by Lithuania, 96-66. The Americas side failed to grab even one First Round victory as they lost 100-72 to Egypt to finish the group with a winless 0-3 record.

Mexico moved into the 17-32 Classification and played in Group N. Things went better for them there with a 108-100 victory over New Zealand. The Mexicans finished the World Cup with a strong fourth quarter to take a 93-80 win over Jordan for a 2-3 record.

Mexico ended up taking 25th place which qualified them for the OQTs as one of the best 16 remaining teams that did not advance directly to the Summer Olympics.

Record at the Olympics

The 1936 Bronze Medal Game between Mexico and Poland - in the rain in Berlin

Appearances: 7 -1960 (3rd); 1948 (4th); 1952 (9th); 1960 (12th); 1964 (12th); 1968 (5th); 1976 (10th)
Medals: 1 - 🥉(1936)

Recent OQT history*

* Since 2008

Mexico did not participate in the OQTs in 2008 and 2012 and played the 2016 OQT in Turin, Italy. They knocked off Iran 75-70 and lost to Greece 86-70 to reach the Semi-Finals, where hosts Italy beat them 79-54.

At the 2020 OQTs, Mexico played in Split, Croatia and were beaten by Germany 82-76 in the first group game and advanced to the Semi-Finals with a 72-64 victory over Russia. The Americas side was once against eliminated at that stage as Brazil won 102-74.

Last Olympics appearance 

Mexico at the 1976 Olympics

Mexico's last Olympics appearance dates back to 1976, which came after having missed the 1972 Games. In Group A in Montreal, Mexico started their campaign with a 120-77 loss to the Soviet Union. They won their next game, 108-90 over Japan, but lost a heart-breaker next, 120-117 in overtime to Australia.

The Mexicans finished their group stage with two more losses - 89-75 to Cuba and 92-84 against Canada. Mexico moved into the 9-12 Classification group and were given a 2-0 win after Egypt forfeited the game. Mexico ended up 10th after losing to Puerto Rico 89-84.

The OQT Group Phase

Mexico hope they will have reason to celebrate in Puerto Rico

Mexico were sent to the closest OQT as they will play in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They will be playing in Group A and start the campaign with a tough showdown with European side Lithuania and then will face off against Côte d'Ivoire. 

The top two teams from the group will move into the Semi-Finals, where they will take on one of Bahrain, Italy or hosts Puerto Rico in the Semi-Finals. The two winners of the Semi-Finals will then square off with the winner of the Final locking up a ticket to the 2024 Olympics.

Mexico OQT games

vs Lithuania (July 2)
vs Côte d'Ivoire (July 4)

Players to watch

Pako Cruz is 34 years old but the ageless wonder still plays on, leading the team in so many ways. The guard led Mexico in scoring and was second in assists at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Cruz would love to finally get his country back to the Olympics.

Paul Stoll

Cruz is not the only veteran for this Mexico team. Paul Stoll just keeps going as a 38-year-old point guard while playmaker Gabriel Giron and forward Karim Rodriguez both turned 36; guard Jorge Gutierrez and forward Jorge Camacho are both 35 years old and top power forward Fabian James is 31.

Gael Bonilla

With all that age, Mexico's future rests clearly in the hands of 21-year-old forward Gael Bonilla, who began to take more leadership at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers with 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Right up there as a future leader is 17-year-old Karim Lopez, who already made his debut in those same Qualifiers.

Karim Lopez at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2023

Other youngsters who could be brought to Puerto Rico are 25-year-old guard Diego Willis, 20-year-old forward Victor Valdes and 24-year-old guard Moises Andriassi. 

Qualified Team Focus series

During coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams ready to step out as part of our Qualified Team Focus series. You can already take a look at Lithuania, Italy and Puerto Rico.

FIBA