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NBA players and other professionals were allowed to play in the Olympics starting in 1992.

Basketball at the Olympics consists of two tournaments: one for the men, and one for the women. Each tournament is made up of 12 teams, which qualified for the Games by placing high enough in a previous tournament that served as an Olympic qualifier.

The Beijing Olympic basketball tournament begins on Aug. 9, Day 1 of the Games, and concludes on Aug. 24, Day 16 and the final day of the Games.

Participants
For men's and women's basketball teams at the Olympics, rosters are limited to 12 players. For the fifth time, professionals (including NBA and WNBA players) are eligible to compete at the Games. Before 1992, only non professionals were allowed to compete.

Referees
All referees for the Olympic basketball tournament are appointed by FIBA (basketball's international governing body), according to criteria established by the IOC and FIBA. The scorers, timekeepers, 24-second clock operators and statisticians are appointed by FIBA.

The NBA and WNBA use three referees in each game; only two are used in the Olympics, as is custom in international play.