Qualification was done via FIBA Americas' sub-zones. USA Basketball chose not to enter its national team, which sat atop the FIBA World Rankings going into the tournament, because the team had already qualified for the 2012 Olympics by winning the 2010 World Championship. The qualified teams are:
The draw ceremonies were held in Neiva on May 5, 2011 at the Auditorio Rodrigo Lara Bonilla de la Asamblea Departamental del Huila. The results, with the FIBA World Rankings prior to the draw, were:[2]
Cuba renounced to compete in the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women. In these circumstances, the FIBA has chosen Puerto Rico, the best team in the Americas Championship after Cuba.
