Taiwan is placed in Group D - the Death Group - with Japan, Qatar, and a Middle Asia team, which is believed to be Kazakhstan, after the draw of the 21st Asian Basketball Championship. With the young age and the lack of international competition experience, Taiwan NT's chance to get into the final four - even final eight - in the championship does not look good.
Following the "S" format, the 16 participants based on the results of the previous championship held in Fukuoka, Japan in 1999, were grouped as follows:
Group A - China, Philippines, Hong Kong, Middle Asia Runner-up
Group B - South Korea, UAE, Thailand, DPR Korea (North Korea)
Group C - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, West Asia Champ, West Asia Runner-up
Group D - Taiwan, Japan, Qatar, Middle Asia Champ
Top two finishers in this year's ABC Championship will qualify for the 2002 World Championship, which will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. China has won 11 of the previous 13 ABC Championships.