FIBA Rankings: Indian Men's Basketball Team suffers 64%(!) drop in last 15 years

From 50th in the World in 2010 to 82nd as of February 27 2024, as per the latest FIBA Rankings post the opening window of Continental Cup Qualifiers

The updated FIBA Rankings released last week is the latest confirmation that the Indian men's basketball team is still to bottom out in terms of its slide in World Rankings.

From 50th in the World in 2010 to 82nd as of February 27 2024, as per the latest FIBA Rankings post the latest round of Continental Cup Qualifiers, the Indian men's team has shown a steep decline of 32 spots.

This translates to a whopping 64% drop in approximately 15 years.

India Men’s Basketball Team that took part in the First Window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers held in February 2024. Image credit - FIBA.com

FIBA Rankings: How It's Calculated

All games played by the 160+ national teams over the previous eight-year period across all FIBA competitions (including the Qualifiers), are factored in. Recent results (e.g. in the immediate two years) are giving more points weightage than results in preceding years. Strength of opponents, competition region and competition stage also come into play.

India Men’s FIBA Basketball Rankings as of February 27, 2024

India Men’s Decline Trajectory

• 50 (2010)

• 58 (2011)

• 61 (2014)

• 53 (2015)

• 64 (December 2017)

• 67 (August 2019)

• 73 (Till Early 2021)

• 76 (March 2021)

• 78 (August 2021)

• 82 (March 2024)

Multiple reasons behind decline

1. Politics taking priority over sports

2. Failure of 2010 BFI-IMGR deal (which would have started Pro Leagues in India and ensured adequate financial support to the Federation)

3. Unnecessary Player / League bans

4. Lack of competitive exposure

5. Missing quality guards - perpetually high turnovers & poor outside shooting

6. Questionable/opaque selection policy that prioritizes regional representation of top 2-3 National Championship winning teams, over putting the best 12 players on the floor

7. Change in FIBA competition system - adding another level of Asia Qualifiers that now forces India to compete against tougher West Asian nations (instead of directly qualifying after dominating at the South Asian Basketball Association level)

See also:

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