Facts & Photos: 1996 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: Aug. 3
- In 2012, the women defeated Czech Republic 88-61, led by 18 points from Diana Taurasi and a U.S. Olympic women’s single-game record of 62 rebounds; in 1996 the USA men collected the gold medal with a 95-69 win over Yugoslavia as David Robinson capped his Olympic career with a 28-point outburst; in 1992 Medina Dixon tallied a U.S. Olympic women’s record 28 points, which now lists fourth on the list, and the USA squad set a new scoring record in the 114-59 victory over Spain; Steve Alford went 8-of-8 from the field for 16 points to lead the 1984 team to a 91-55 victory over France; also in 1984, behind Lynette Woodard's 15 points and 14 more from Janice Lawrence, China fell to the American squad 91-55; and in 1948, the USA’s 59-57 close win over Argentina was led by 12 points apiece from Don Barksdale and Gordon Carpenter.
- Video (YouTube): 1996 USA Men vs. China & Muhammad Ali Receives Replacement Medal
- Complete Recap of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
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Attracting 258,106 spectators during the USA's eight games in Atlanta, the 1996 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team averaged a record 32,263 fans per game.
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During halftime of the USA-Yugoslavia gold medal game, boxing legend Muhammad Ali received from IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch a replacement medal for his 1960 Olympic Games gold medal that had been lost. The 1996 U.S. Men’s Basketball Team congratulated him on the basketball court and posed for this photo with “The Greatest.”
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The 1996 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team was anchored in the frontcourt by three Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame centers – Hakeem Olajuwon (7-foot), Shaquille O’Neal (7-foot-1) and David Robinson (7-foot-1).
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Scottie Pippen became the first athlete to win an NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same year twice. After winning an NBA title and Olympic gold medal in 1992 with the Dream Team, he won both again in 1996.
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David Robinson became the first U.S. men’s basketball player to suit up in three Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1988 and gold medals in 1992 and 1996. Since then, he has been joined by three-time Olympian LeBron James (2004, 2008 and 2012) and four-time Olympian Carmelo Anthony (2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016).
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1996 marked a second-straight Olympic gold medal for Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen and John Stockton; the first of two Olympic golds for Gary Payton (1996 and 2000); and a second Olympic medal for Mitch Richmond (1988-bronze and 1996).
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Playing in their first and only Olympic Games in 1996 were Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal. |
