Facts & Photos: 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were to be held July 24-Aug. 9, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Summer Games to 2021. USA Basketball is celebrating the original dates of the 2020 Olympics with a look back at past U.S. Olympic men’s and women’s basketball teams through photos and fun facts. Be sure to check in daily for Olympic memories galore!
On this day in USA Basketball Olympic History: July 29
- A near double-double of 22 points and nine rebounds from Kevin Durant led the 2012 squad to a 98-71 win over France; in 1996, Nikki McCray scored 16 points as the U.S. team downed South Korea 105-64; in 1992 the Dream Team defeated Germany 111-68 behind 19 points from Larry Bird, 18 points from Karl Malone and 12 assists from Michael Jordan, which tied the U.S. Olympic men’s single-game assist record; the 1984 Olympics saw the USA claim victories in men’s and women’s basketball on July 29. Alvin Robertson (18 points) and Michael Jordan (14 points) led the USA men in a 97-49 victory over China, and Cheryl Miller’s 23 points helped pave the way to the women’s 83-55 win over Yugoslavia; in 1952 Clyde Lovelette scored a then-USA record 25 points to lead the U.S. to a lopsided 103-55 victory over Chile.
- Video: Vince Carter Dunk
- Complete Recap of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
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Of the 12 members of the 2000 squad, only Jason Kidd (2000 and 2008) and Gary Payton (1996 and 2000) played in more than one Olympic Games.
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Vince Carter slammed home perhaps the most famous dunk of his career – rising over 7-foot-2 Frederic Weis of France in the USA’s final preliminary round contest on Sept. 25, 2000.
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24-year-old Kevin Garnett averaged a team second-best-10.8 points per game, as well as 9.1 rebounds per game, which led all players at the 2000 Summer Games.
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The USA’s 85-76 win over Lithuania in preliminary round play was the closest margin of victory for the U.S. men since NBA players began competing in 1992. In a rematch between the two teams in the semifinals, the USA hung on to record an 85-83 win.  Ray Allen |
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The USA’s gold medal matchup against France was the second team the USA had to beat twice in Sydney. The U.S. topped Lithuania 85-76 in the preliminary round and 85-84 in the semifinals and France 106-94 in the prelims and 85-75 in the championship game.
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Prior to the 2000 Olympics, the USA men and women played a double-header in Melbourne against Australia’s national teams, and the U.S. women’s soccer team, which was training in Melbourne, came to watch and support the basketball teams.
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