Facts & Photos: 1992 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: August 8
- In 2016, both the men's and women's team earned victories in their respective tournaments -- Paul George scored 20 points to lead the USA men to a 113-69 victory over Venezuela, and Diana Taurasi's 13 points led the women to a 103-63 win over Spain; In 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 20 points in a 119-86 quarterfinal victory over Australia; The 1992 men claimed gold and a 117-85 victory over Croatia behind 22 points from Michael Jordan; In 1984, Chris Mullin poured in 20 points as the USA defeated Canada 78-59 in semifinal action.
- Video: Dream Team's Naismith Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech & 1992 U.S. Olympic Men's Highlights
- Complete Recap of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
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During the 1992 Olympic Games, the Dream Team led opponents for 306 minutes and 54 seconds out of a possible 320 minutes. The USA trailed for only 6:05 and was tied for 7:01.  From left to right: Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. |
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U.S. head coach Chuck Daly never called even one timeout during the entire Olympic Games.  |
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The USA reached the century mark in all eight games and is the only team to accomplish that feat in the Olympics.  From left to right: Clyde Drexler, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. |
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It was Karl Malone who scored the Dream Team’s first point in Olympic action, sinking the second of two free throw attempts just 11 seconds into its opening game against Angola. And, it also was “The Mailman” who scored the USA’s final points, hitting a jumper with 41.1 seconds left in the gold medal game versus Croatia. |
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The Dream Team was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame also in 2009, and 11 of the 12 players on the U.S. roster and three of the four coaches have been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as individuals. Christian Laettner, the one athlete not yet in the Naismith Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. |
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The USA coaching staff all dressed up and ready to walk into the 1992 Olympic Opening Ceremony.
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Larry Bird’s final field goal in an official basketball game came in the 1992 Olympics with 1:20 remaining in the USA’s semifinal game versus Lithuania on Aug. 6, 1992. Bird officially retired from the NBA on Aug. 18, 1992. |
