Facts & Photos: 2016 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. 6
- Five men's teams captured victories on this day in Olympic history. In 2016 Kevin Durant scored 25 points in a 119-62 drubbing of China; in 2012 Durant's 28 points paced the U.S. to a 126-97 win over Argentina; in 1992 Michael Jordan finished with 21 points and six steals in a 127-76 semifinal victory over Lithuania; the 1984 squad got 17 points from Steve Alford in a 78-67 quarterfinal win over West Germany; and in 1948, Wally Jones scored 12 points in a lopsided 61-33 finish over Peru.
- Video (YouTube): 2016 USA Men Gold Medal Game Highlights & 2016 U.S. Men Arrive in Rio
- Complete Recap of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
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Mike Krzyzewski became the first U.S. Olympic men’s basketball head coach to lead the USA to three-straight Olympic gold medals. (Henry Iba also led three men’s Olympic teams, but he won gold in 1964 and 1968 and silver in 1972.) During his 10 years (2006-2016) as the USA National Team head coach, Krzyzewski led USA teams to a sterling 60-1 record in FIBA competitions and a 28-0 mark in exhibition games.
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The USA’s 8-0 record at the 2016 Games upped the USA men’s Olympic win streak to 25 games, dating back to the 2004 bronze medal game.
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The USA’s 30-point victory over Serbia (96-66) in the 2016 Olympic gold medal game was largest margin of victory in an Olympic men’s basketball gold medal contest since the 1992 Dream Team defeated Croatia by 32 points (117-85).
 From left to right: Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. |
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Carmelo Anthony became the first U.S. men’s basketball player to suit up in four Olympic Games – winning bronze in 2004 and gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
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The 2016 U.S. Olympic Roster featured just two Olympic veterans, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. |
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Ten athletes made their Olympic debut in 2016, including Harrison Barnes, Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Draymond Green, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Kyle Lowry and Klay Thompson.
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