In the men's draw, eight-time winners US and Guadalajara 2011 champions Puerto Rico will also lock horns with Venezuela and Brazil, gold medallists in 1999, 2003 and 2007, meaning that the winners of 15 of the 16 Pan American Games basketball competitions will face off.

Hosts Canada meanwhile will clash with the world's third ranked team and 1995 champions, Argentina, in their second match in Group B.

The 2011 runners-up Mexico will also participate in the eight-team tournament, along with Dominican Republic.

With several leading players from the National Basketball Association (NBA) hoping to feature, the basketball competition is set to be one of the highlights of Toronto 2015.

In the women's competition meanwhile, the US will take on Brazil, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Group A, while Canada, Cuba, Argentina and Venezuela will face off in Group B.

Canada will be hoping to repeat their good form at the 2014 World Championships in Turkey ©Getty Images



The event should be a particular test for the Canadian team, keen to improve on fifth place at last year's World Championships and move closer to Rio 2016 Olympic qualification.

"2014 ended on a high note for us, finishing 5th at the FIBA World Championships," said Lisa Thomaidis, head coach for the Canadian women's team.

"This will be another special year for us as we will have the privilege of competing on home soil twice; at the Pan Am Games in Toronto and hosting the FIBA Americas Women's Championship in Edmonton."

Jay Triano, head coach of the men's national team, added: "It's always a privilege to play at home, we know we can compete with the best in the world and we plan to show that this summer in Toronto.

"This is an important competition for our young talented team."

Basketball action in Toronto will take place in the Ryerson Athletic Centre from July 16 to 25, with the women's final due to take place on July 20 before the men's gold medal match is held five days later, it has been confirmed today.

Tickets can be purchased via the Toronto 2015 website here, while the full basketball schedule is available here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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