When Jose Alvarado and the Puerto Rico men's national basketball team won their way into the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this month, it proved that the Caribbean island of 3.25 million people isn't just a fun basketball spot — it's a sleeper to win a medal.
The ultra-scrappy backcourt of Pelicans guard Alvarado and former Celtics backup Tremont Waters served as a thorn in opponents' side in the San Juan version of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments a few weeks ago.
The host country went a perfect 4-0 in the six-day tourney, which ultimately saw Alvarado crowned the MVP after averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, three assists, and 2.3 steals. Alvarado and Waters combined for 41 points in the OQT final vs. Domantas Sabonis and Lithuania.
It won't be an easy ride for Puerto Rico — most sportsbooks list the US territory as a +30000 long shot, while the superstar-filled Team USA is a heavy -500 favorite to come out of Group C and go on to win it all. But this Puerto Rican team has a ton of heart, and crazier things have happened in international play.
The most difficult task in Puerto Rico's short-term future: getting past three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the powerful Serbian team. Puerto Rico will then close out its group-stage schedule with the toughest test of its Olympic basketball history: a tilt with the USA.
One thing's for sure: the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics should be must-see TV, with many unforgettable matchups and instant-classic highlights. Could Puerto Rico shock the world and make a medal game?
Here is everything you need to know to watch Puerto Rico in the 2024 Olympic games, including tipoff times, TV channels, and streaming information for each contest.
MORE: Watch the 2024 Olympics with Fubo (7-day free trial)
Puerto Rico Basketball Schedule 2024
The opening ceremony at the 2024 Olympics is Friday, July 26. The men's basketball tournament tips off on July 27 and ends with the medal games on Aug. 10.
Puerto Rico is one of 12 teams to qualify for the Paris Olympics. It will be playing in Group B, which includes Olympic-gold favorite USA, Nikola Jokic and Serbia, and tournament underdog South Sudan.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| July 28 | Puerto Rico vs. South Sudan | 5 a.m. | CNBC, Fubo |
| July 31 | Puerto Rico vs. Serbia | 11 a.m. | Peacock |
| Aug. 3 | Puerto Rico vs. USA | 11 a.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Aug. 6 | Men's Quarterfinals* | TBD | USA, E!, Peacock, Fubo |
| Aug. 8 | Men's Semifinals* | TBD | USA, Peacock, Fubo |
| Aug. 10 | Men's medal games* | TBD | NBC, USA, Fubo |
*if qualified
How to watch Olympic basketball games
- TV channels: NBC | USA | E! | CNBC
- Live streams: Fubo, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
Two of Puerto Rico's three games during the group phase will air live on national TV. CNBC will carry the battle with South Sudan and USA will broadcast the tilt with LeBron James and Team USA.
Olympic basketball games can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free seven-day trial. That way, you can try before you buy.
NBC will carry the gold-medal game live.
Puerto Rico Olympic men's basketball roster
Puerto Rico's 12-man roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics includes NBA players Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters. Here's the full roster:
| No. | Player | Position |
| 0 | Isaiah Pineiro | Power Forward |
| 1 | George Conditt IV | Forward |
| 3 | Jordan Howard | Point Guard |
| 9 | Davon Reed | Shooting Guard |
| 10 | Jose Alvarado | Point Guard |
| 11 | Stephen Thompson Jr. | Guard |
| 12 | Aleem Ford | Forward |
| 24 | Gian Clavell | Guard |
| 28 | Ismael Romero | Center |
| 32 | Christopher Ortiz | Power Forward |
| 41 | Arnaldo Toro | Power Forward |
| 51 | Tremont Waters | Point Guard |
Puerto Rico Olympic men's basketball coaching staff
| Name | Position |
| Nelson Colón | Head coach |
| Rafael Cruz | Assistant coach |
| David García | Assistant coach |
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