The United States has dominated Olympic basketball, winning 25 gold medals, with the men’s and women’s teams combining for 11 consecutive gold medals.
This supremacy traces back to two pivotal moments: the formation of the 1992 Dream Team and the 1996 women’s team that attracted the Atlanta Games.
In 1992, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) allowed NBA players to compete in the Olympics for the first time, following a vote in 1991.
This change led to the creation of the Dream Team, featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and other NBA legends. They won gold in Barcelona, defeating opponents by an average of 40 points. Since then, NBA players have excelled at the Olympics, with the men’s team winning gold in seven of eight Games.
The women’s team, comprising WNBA talent, has also won seven consecutive gold medals, starting with their 1996 victory in Atlanta. Led by Diana Taurasi, they aim for a record sixth gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The current rosters for Team USA basketball at the Paris Olympics include:
Men:
– Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
– Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
– Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
– Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
– Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
– Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
– Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
– Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)
– LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
– Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Women:
– Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx)
– Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury)
– Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces)
– Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury)
– Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
– Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm)
– Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces)
– Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
– Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)
– Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun)
– A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
– Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)