MELBOURNE (Australia) - The best way to prepare for the Olympic Basketball Tournaments Paris is to take on the best, which is precisely what Australia are doing.

Basketball Australia have announced the staging of Ford BALLIN'24, a series featuring Australia's Boomers and Opals against China and Japan at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne from July 2 to 5.

The Boomers will then square off against the USA and Serbia at the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on July 16 and July 17, respectively.

At the Ford BALLIN'24, Japan are No. 26 in the Ranking. They will be making their second straight appearance at the Olympics after hosting the Games three years ago in Tokyo. The Boomers claimed the bronze medal at those Olympics. It was their first podium finish at an Olympics or a FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Competition for the Opals will be fierce at the Ford BALLIN'24. Fans Down Under will remember that China edged Australia, 61-59, in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Women's Basketball Cup 2022 in Sydney. Japan's women made it to the Olympic Final in Tokyo.

Over the four nights in July in Melbourne, Australia's Rollers, Gliders and 3x3 Gangurrus men and women's teams will also be in action with the country preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

 At the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the competition could not be any tougher. The American men have lost just one game at the last four Olympics en route to gold medal triumphs.

The USA are No. 1 in the FIBA World Ranking, Presented by Nike.

Serbia, who reached the Final of last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila, are No. 4. The Serbians last played at the Olympics eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro, where they made it to the Gold Medal Game before falling to USA.

FIBA