Each team was allowed to enter a maximum of twelve athletes.

Canada, the United States and the host country qualify automatically, as do five other teams through regional tournaments.

[1] The competition will be spread out across nine days, with the women competing first, followed by the men.

[2] The Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) refused to endorse the Mexican Sports Association (ADEMEBA), the body recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), because FIBA had threatened to suspend ADEMEBA membership which put the entire basketball tournament in jeopardy.

[3] However, the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) later confirmed that the basketball tournament would be held and the event would not be cancelled.