While the competition was tougher than ever, Team USA once again came out on top at the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning their fifth consecutive Men’s Basketball gold medal and eighth consecutive Women’s Basketball gold medal.
While every player contributed to Team USA’s success, it’s still interesting to look and see which players truly stood out. Some honorable mentions include Anthony Davis, Jackie Young, Anthony Edwards, Chelsea Grey, and Joel Embiid.
Without further adieu, these are the five best US basketball players at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
5. Devin Booker
In all honesty, this was the toughest spot on the list to fill. It came down to two players: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Durant proved to be a consistent scorer, setting the record for most points scored by a basketball player at the Olympics. Meanwhile, Booker was the backbone of the team, serving as a utility player and coming in clutch when the USA needed him to.
What gave Booker the slight edge over Durant was a recent comment made by head coach Steve Kerr calling the Phoenix Suns guard Team USA’s “unsung MVP.” He came on and filled a necessary role for the team, and it’s hard to think of the United States winning gold without him.
4. Steph Curry
Legendary shooter Steph Curry started the Olympics off fairly quietly, averaging 7.25 points in his first four games. However, that all changed in the USA’s final two games. Combined, Curry scored 60 points, sinking 17 of his 26 three-pointers and becoming the Men’s Basketball points leader with an average of 14.8 points per game.
When it looked like Serbia was going to upset the US, Curry brought us back from a 13-point deficit. When it came time to seal the deal against France in the finals, Curry nailed a perfect three. In the end, the Golden State Warriors star more than earned his placement on FIBA’s All-Star Five and his first Olympic gold medal.
3. Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart had an incredible Olympics campaign, putting up two 20+ point games at the beginning of Team USA’s gold medal journey. She would maintain this excellence, averaging 16.3 points per game, the second most on the team.
Stewart also averaged a 20.3 efficiency rating and 5.3 rebounds, second and third most for Team USA respectively. Her defensive presence was also felt with an average of 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. This was enough to have her named to FIBA’s All-Star Five, alongside another player on this list.
2. LeBron James
To say that LeBron James was a monster at the Olympics is an understatement. Not only did he lead the team in average assists (8.5) and rebounds (6.8) per game, but he also was right behind Curry as the points leader for US Men’s Basketball with a 14.2 per game average.
All of this granted James a team-high average efficiency rating of 23.5. He also became the first US player to record two triple-doubles at the Olympics. It’s no wonder he was named Olympics MVP by FIBA. Still, there’s one athlete who had an even better Olympics than King James.
1. A’ja Wilson
Once again, A’ja Wilson continues to prove that she is a dominant presence in Women’s basketball. An NCAA champion, two-time WNBA champion, and two-time FIBA World Cup champion, she can now add two-time Olympic gold medalist to that list.
Throughout the Olympics, Wilson averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and a 27.5 efficiency rating per game. These aren’t just the highest averages for US Women’s Basketball, but Team USA in general. Because of that, there was no choice but to give her MVP at the Olympics and to put her at the top of this list.
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