Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay to host FIBA AmeriCup 2017

SAN JUAN (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the Americas on Wednesday confirmed Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay as host nations of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017, to be played from August 25 to September 3.

Competing in the continental cup will be Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, the Virgin Islands and a South American representative yet to be determined*.

The FIBA AmeriCup 2017 will open with a Group Phase consisting of three (3) groups of four (4) teams each to be played in a round robin format in Medellín (Colombia), Bahía Blanca (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay). The best team from each group will advance to the Final Phase, along with Argentina who will automatically qualify because of its status as the main organizer of the competition. The Final Phase will be played in Cordoba (Argentina), where the winners of the Semi-Finals will square off in the title game.

The calendar is as follows:

Group A: Medellín, Colombia –  25-27 August

Group B: Bahía Blanca, Argentina –  27-29 August

Group C: Montevideo, Uruguay –  28-30 August

Semifinal and Final: Córdoba, Argentina –  2-3 September

FIBA Americas President, Mr. Usie Richards, said: "The FIBA AmeriCup 2017 represents a new era in our continental basketball. The best national teams from our continent will compete for the pride of proclaiming themselves the undisputed champion of the Americas. We are very pleased to be able to announce Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay as the hosts of the competition in an unprecedented gathering for our sport in the continent. We are confident that it will be a sporting spectacle and a delight for basketball fans."

The President of the Argentine Basketball Confederation (CABB), Mr. Federico Susbielles, said: "Argentina is honored to be able to host this first edition of the AmeriCup. We hope to live up to the challenge and make a quality event. The CABB has been working very hard to bring our National Teams closer to our fans, so we consider the opportunity to be organizers as unbeatable. I want to thank all the authorities of FIBA in the Americas for their trust."

The President of the Uruguayan Basketball Federation (FUBB), Mr. Ricardo Vairo, said: "We are very happy and aware of the challenge that implies that FIBA has confirmed us as host of the Group Phase of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017. We would like to thank the Uruguay National Secretary of Sports, Mr. Fernando Caceres for his help in making this possible as it will be a great opportunity for our fans to witness the best national teams of the continent and in turn a great opportunity to build our national identity before the start of the FIBA New Competition System in November."

The President of the Colombian Basketball Federation (FECOLCESTO), Mr. Jorge Armando Garcia, said: "For Colombia and especially for Medellin it is a pleasure to host basketball family of the Americas. It is a historical fact for Colombian basketball to be among the best in the continent and to have obtained the support of our authorities, especially that of Mr. Luis Perez Gutierrez, Governor of the Department of Antioquia and Mr. Federico Gutierrez Zuloaga, Mayor of City of Medellin. Their presence and support is fundamental for the country and our continued effort to grow the sport nationwide. We will spare no effort to make the event a success on Colombian soil and provide a spectacle to fans of great national team basketball."

The Official FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Draw will be held on 20 April in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will be broadcast on FIBA's YouTube channel. 

For the most up-to-date information and coverage of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017, visit fiba.com/americas and follow our social media channels @FIBA. 

FIBA
 
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*The South American Championship qualified five teams to the FIBA AmeriCup 2017, including Brazil, a national federation currently suspended. A decision on the fifth South American representative will be taken by the FIBA Central Board and announced at a later date. 
 
About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.com) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
 
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