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After a shaky start to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign, Team USA has bounced back with two consecutive victories to qualify for the quarterfinals. Damian Lillard led the scoring with 21 points with seven three-pointers as Kevin Durant added 10 to come within striking distance of being the highest points-scorer for Team USA at Olympic events.
Also Check out: USA Olympic Basketball Team Schedule 2021
That record was broken against the Czech Republic, as Durant registered a stat line of 23 points and nine rebounds. Team USA won 119-84, with Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum top-scoring with 27 points. Team USA’s knockout stage opponents will be decided by a draw of lots. In this article, we look at the players who have scored the highest points for Team USA in the Olympics.
Players with highest points for Team USA Men’s Basketball at the Olympics
Team USA is currently vying for what will be their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. They are the most successful team in the history of the Olympics and have seen a range of elite NBA stars produce some memorable performances over the years. Without further ado, we look at the five players with the highest points in the Olympics:
#5 Michael Jordan- 256 points
Michael Jordan participated for Team USA in the Olympics twice, including the 1992 Summer Olympics where Team USA had what was dubbed the “Dream Team.” Team USA boasted of the likes of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson along Jordan and won the gold medal.
Jordan had previously won his first gold medal at the 1984 Olympics, and finished with a whopping 256 points at 16 points per game despite only participating in two tournaments. Like many of his other records, Jordan is expected to stay at the overall #5 position for the time being.
Also Check out: USA Olympic Basketball Results 2021
#4 David Robinson- 270 points
The San Antonio Spurs’ legend led the team through arguably their best years in the NBA, winning the league twice in five seasons. David Robinson was also part of the “Dream Team” in 1992 and ended up participating in three Olympics. This allowed Robinson to finish his career with 270 points.
He played 12 games more than Michael Jordan, averaged 11.3 points per game and ended with two golds and a bronze medal, which came at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The bronze was in chief one of the reasons why Team USA was forced to field a stronger lineup in the next event. Some other names on the dream team lineup were Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton and Patrick Ewing!
#3 LeBron James- 273 points
LeBron James has recently not played in the Olympics, with his latest appearance coming at the 2012 games. Regardless, he has two gold medals and is the third highest scorer in the history of Team USA at the event. James participated in the 2004, 2008 and the 2012 Olympics and finished with 273 points.
He averaged 11.4 points, played 27 games just like David Robinson, and finished with more points. Team USA won the bronze at the 2004 Games, and is the only player apart from Michael Jordan to win the NBA MVP award, NBA championship, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year, which happened in 2008.
#2 Carmelo Anthony- 336 points
Till date, Carmelo Anthony is the only basketball player to have won three Olympic medals. Carmelo Anthony has never won the NBA championship but participated in four Olympics. He was part of the 2004 Olympics squad alongside LeBron James, and went on to participate at the 2008, 2012 and the 2016 games as well.
Anthony has as a result played 31 games whilst averaging 10.8 points per game, which left him at the top of the list for a number of years. Regardless, he is now at the second spot after Kevin Durant’s exploits against Czech Republic.
#1 Kevin Durant- 354 points*
Kevin Durant has never gone to the Olympics and returned with anything other than a gold medal. He participated in the 2012 and the 2016 games and is currently leading a talented roster at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well.
Durant still has a number of games to improve his tally and looks set to return as the only basketball player with more than 400 points at the Olympics. Regardless, Team USA will be more focussed on getting their fourth straight medal, and certainly have the firepower to make it happen.
