Ranking the USA Men’s Basketball Olympic Teams

In the history of the sport of basketball, a majority of the players you are about to see on this list are also members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It has become an important part of a player’s resume, a rite of passage.

Although there have been some players that might have been good options at the time due to limited choices, most of the players are nothing short of elite. Even before the days of professional players being allowed to play, many of the collegiate stars that made the teams eventually went on to become NBA legends themselves. Believe it or not, Bill Russell, Bill Bradley, Adrian Dantley, Jerry West, and Jerry Lucas are just a few examples of the studs that once starred for Team USA.

We’re not sure the same can be said for this year’s squad though, which includes only two of the past season’s 15 selections to the All-NBA Team. Will they be able to pull out the Gold medal, and even if they do, where will that leave them among the greats of the past? That leads us to ranking the teams since 1936, the first year basketball was featured in the Olympics, from worst to the best. In 18 Olympiads that the United States has participated in the tournament, they’ve won 15 Gold Medals, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze. Merely winning a Gold Medal is clearly not enough to make it to the top of this elite list.

18) 2004 Team

• Medal (Record): Bronze Medal (5-3)
• USA Points per Game (PPG): 88.1
• Opp. Points per Game (PPG): 83.5
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 4.6
• Key Stats:
  • Tim Duncan: 12.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.25 bpg
  • Allen Iverson: 13.8 ppg, 15 3pt made, 20 assists, 11 steals
• Head Coach: Larry Brown
• Roster: Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan, Stephon Marbury, Richard Jefferson, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Emeka Okafor, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade

17) 1936 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (5-0)
• USA PPG: 30.8
• Opp. PPG: 13.8
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 17.0
• Key Stats
  • Joe Fortenberry: 14.5 points per game
  • Frank Lubin: 11.0 points per game
• Head Coach: James Needles
• Roster: Sam Balter, Ralph Bishop, Joe Fortenberry, John Gibbons, Francis Johnson, Carl Knowles, Frank Lubin, Art Mollner, Don Piper, Jack Ragland, Willard Schmidt, Carl Shy, Duane Swanson, William Wheatley

16) 1976 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (7-0)
• USA PPG: 83.7
• Opp. PPG: 71.4
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 12.3
• Key Stats
  • Adrian Dantley: 19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 30-36 FTM
• Head Coach: Dean Smith
• Roster: Mike Armstrong, Quinn Buckner, Kenny Carr, Adrian Dantley, Walter Davis, Phil Ford, Ernie Grunfield, Phil Hubbard, Mitch Kupchak, Tom LaGarde, Scott May, Steven Sheppard

15) 1952 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 70.3
• Opp. PPG: 50.8
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 19.5
• Key Stats
  • Clyde Lovellette: 14.1 ppg, 21-26 FT
  • Robert Kenney: 10.9 ppg, 22-28 FT
• Head Coach: Warren Womble
• Roster: Ronald Bontemps, Marcus Freiberger, Wayne Glasgow, Charles Hoag, William Hougland, John Keller, Melvin Kelley, Robery Kenney, Robert Kurland, William Lienhard, Clyde Lovellette, Frank McCabe, Dan Pippin, Howard Williams

14) 1968 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (9-0)
• USA PPG: 82.1
• Opp. PPG: 56.1
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 26.0
• Key Stats
  • Spencer Haywood: 71.9 FG %, 16.1 ppg
• Head Coach: Henry Vaughn
• Roster:Michael Barrett, John Clawson, Donald Dee, Calvin Fowler, Spencer Haywood, Bill Hosket, James King, Glynn Saulters, Charles Scott, Michael Siliman, Ken Spain, Joseph White

13) 1972 Team

• Medal (Record): Silver Medal (8-1)
• USA PPG: 73.3
• Opp. PPG: 44.6
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 28.8
• Key Stats
  • Dwight Jones: 9.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 68.2 FT %
  • Jim Brewer: 7.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg
• Head Coach: John Bach
• Roster: Mike Bantom, Jim Brewer, Tommy Burleson, Doug Collins, Kenny Davis, James Forbes, Thomas Henderson, Bobby Jones, Dwight Jones, Kevin Joyce, Tom McMillen, Ed Ratleff

12) 2000 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 95.0
• Opp. PPG: 73.4
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 21.6
• Key Stats
  • Vince Carter: 50.6 FG%, 14.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.38 apg, 1.0 spg
  • Kevin Garnett: 54.4 FG%, 10.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.13 apg
  • Jason Kidd: 51.6 FG%, 6.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.38 apg
• Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
• Roster: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Ray Allen, Vin Baker, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tim Hardaway, Allan Houston, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, Steve Smith

11) 2016 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 100.9
• Opp. PPG: 78.4
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 22.5
• Key Stats
  • Kevin Durant : 57.8 FG%, 19.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.5 apg
  • Carmelo Anthony : 39.3 FG%, 12.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 apg
  • Kyrie Irving : 47.7%, 11.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.9 apg
• Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
• Roster: Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Kyle Lowry, Harrison Barnes, DeMar DeRozan, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, Draymond Green, Carmelo Anthony

10) 2008 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 106.3
• Opp. PPG: 78.4
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 27.9
• Key Stats
  • LeBron James: 60.2 FG%, 15.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.75 apg, 2.38 spg
  • Dwyane Wade: 67.1 FG%, 16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.25 spg
  • Chris Paul: 50.0 FG% 8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.13 apg
  • Kobe Bryant: 15.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 17 3PM
  • Carmelo Anthony: 11.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg
• Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
• Roster: Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade, Deron Williams

The critics were right when they started destroying the way USA men’s basketball was heading. In 2000 and 2004, it started to look as if Team USA was relying more on building the best team possible out of the best players they could find instead of building a team that had the best players possible but could still play together. So the 2008 team had to do something following USA’s embarrassing bronze medal in 2004. With the help of Duke’s Coach K, the 2008 team was built on talent but it was based on overall quality. They reminded the world just how good USA was and that it would never find itself playing for anything short of a Gold.

9) 1988 Team

• Medal (Record): Bronze Medal (7-1)
• USA PPG: 91.6
• Opp. PPG: 61.3
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 30.4
• Key Stats
  • Dan Majerle: 57.8 FG%, 14.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6 3PM
  • David Robinson: 58 FG%, 12.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.38 bpg
  • Danny Manning: 57.1 FG%, 11.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg
• Head Coach: John Thompson
• Roster: Willie Anderson, Stacey Augmon, Vernell Coles, Jeff Grayer, Hersey Hawkins, Dan Majerle, Danny Manning, J.R. Reid, Mitch Richmond, David Robinson, Charles D.Smith, Charles E. Smith IV

Although the 1988 team didn’t win the Gold medal, they were still one of the better teams USA ever built. They dominated just about everyone until they faced the USSR in the semis. After a shocking defeat, they rebounded to destroy Australia for the easy bronze medal. It wasn’t pretty but if you look at the numbers outside of their one loss, this team was much better.

8) 1964 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (9-0)
• USA PPG: 78.2
• Opp. PPG: 48.2
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 30.0
• Key Stats
  • Jerry Shipp: 51 FG%, 12.4 ppg, 80 FT%
  • Bill Bradley: 51.5 FG%, 10.1 ppg, 23-24 FT (95.8%)
• Head Coach: Henry Iba
• Roster: Jim Barnes, Bill Bradley, Larry Brown, Joe Caldwell, Melvin Counts, Richard Davies, Walt Hazzard, Luious Jackson, Pete McCaffery, Jeff Mullins, Jerry Shipp, George Wilson

There isn’t much to be said about well coached teams except that when a team is put together with several players you have never heard of, how did they do it? They won easily because of defense. They weren’t a high scoring team only averaging 78.2 points per game but they held their opponents to 48.2 points per game.

7) 1984 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 95.4
• Opp. PPG: 63.3
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 32.1
• Key Stats
  • Michael Jordan: 17.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg
  • Patrick Ewing: 55.4 FG%, 11.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.25 bpg
  • Chris Mullin: 11.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
• Head Coach: Bob Knight
• Roster: Steve Alford, Patrick Ewing, Vern Flemming, Michael Jordan, Joe Kleine, Jon Koncak, Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins, Alvin Robertson, Wayman Tisdale, Jeff Turner, Leon Wood

Many people forget that in 1984, Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins, and Patrick Ewing starred on Team USA. It was back before they changed and allowed professional players to play and even then, MJ was a leader of a dominate USA team. His 17.1 points per game were the highest total ever at the time.

6) 1948 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 65.5
• Opp. PPG: 32.0
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 33.5
• Key Stats
  • Alex Groza: 11.1 ppg
  • Robert Kurland: 9.3 ppg
  • Don Barksdale: 9.0 ppg
• Head Coach: Omar Browning
• Roster: Clifford Barker, Don Barksdale, Ralph Beard, Lewis Beck, Vincent Boryla, Gordon Carpenter, Alex Groza, Wallace Jones, Robert Kurland, Raymond Lumpp, R.C. Pitts, Jesse Renick, Kenneth Rollins, Jack Robinson

The story goes, USA men’s basketball has the best teams. It has been that way since the beginning of the sport’s existence in the Olympics and in 1948, Team USA easily ran through the opposition beating them by an average of 33.5 points per game.

5) 1996 Dream Team II

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 102.0
• Opp. PPG: 70.3
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 31.8
• Key Stats
  • David Robinson: 68 FG%, 12.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg
  • Reggie Miller: 51.6 FG%, 17 3PM, 11.4 ppg
  • Charles Barkley: 81.6 FG%, 12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg
• Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens
• Roster: Charles Barkley, Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton, Scottie Pippen, Mitch Richmond, David Robinson, John Stockton

Following the amazing dominance of the 1992 team, the 1996 had to find a way to follow in its’ footsteps without half of those same future Hall of Famers. It did not take long to realize that this team would be another one of the greatest Olympic teams ever built.

4) 1956 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 99.1
• Opp. PPG: 45.6
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 53.5
• Key Stats
  • Bill Russell: 14.1 ppg
  • Robert Jeangerard: 60.8 FG%, 12.5 ppg, 10-11 FT
• Head Coach: Gerald Tucker
• Roster: Dick Boushka, Carl Cain, Charles Darling, William Evans, Gilbert Ford, Burdette Haldorson, William Hougland, Robert Jeangerard, K.C. Jones, Bill Russell, Ron Tomsic, James Walsh

Long before the professional NBA stars played during the Olympics, the best basketball players from the collegiate ranks got to play the best from all over the globe. However, it did not take long for the rest of the world to realize just how amazing these athletes from the USA were as the 1956 team, led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, went on to win by an average margin of 53.5 points, an Olympic record. The most points given up in one game was 55 when they gave it up twice when playing USSR.

3) 1960 Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 101.9
• Opp. PPG: 59.5
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 42.4
• Key Stats
  • Oscar Robertson: 17.0 ppg, 51 FGM, 34-50 FT
  • Jerry Lucas: 17.0 ppg, 66 FGM
  • Jerry West: 13.8 ppg, 18-27 FT
• Head Coach: Pete Newell
• Roster: Jay Arnette, Walter Bellamy, Robert Boozer, Terry Dischinger, Burdette Haldorson, Darrall Imoff, Allen Kelley, Lester Lane, Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson, Adrian Smith, Jerry West

Unlike most of the other teams on this list, the 1960 team was compiled of a perfectly balanced lineup without any one truly dominate star. That amazing balance turned into one of the best teams USA ever had up until that point. But since then, it is still one of the best teams ever put together, even 60 years later.

2) 2012 Dream Team III

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 115.5
• Opp. PPG: 82.1
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 33.4
• Key Stats
  • Kevin Durant: 19.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.63 apg, 1.63 spg
  • LeBron James: 60.3 FG%, 13.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg,  5.63 apg
  • Carmelo Anthony: 53.5 FG%, 16.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg
  • Kevin Love: 63.0 FG%, 11.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg
• Head Coach: Mike Krzyzekski
• Roster: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams

After struggling in 2004, USA men’s basketball had a gigantic challenge ahead of them, either get the best players in the league to play or figure something else out. So after the 2008 team won the Gold, it was up to the 2012 team to continue the streak. Compared to the 1992 team, the 2012 team was built of just about the best 12 players in the NBA at that time and it showed. They destroyed their opponents and cruised to another Gold medal.

1) 1992 Dream Team

• Medal (Record): Gold Medal (8-0)
• USA PPG: 117.3
• Opp. PPG: 73.5
• Avg. Margin of Victory: 43.8
• Key Stats
  • Charles Barkley: 71.1 FG %, 18 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.63 spg, 2.4 apg
  • Michael Jordan: 14.9 ppg, 4.75 apg, 4.63 spg, 2.4 rpg
  • Karl Malone: 64.5 FG%, 13.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg
  • Scottie Pippen: 9.0 ppg, 5.9 apg, 2.9 spg, 2.1 rpg
• Head Coach: Chuck Daly
• Roster: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Christian Laettner, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, John Stockton

The 1992 USA Olympic men’s basketball team was built of the NBA’s best players following the disappointing loss to the Soviets in 1988, and the 1989 FIBA vote to allow NBA players to be eligible for the Olympics. It did not take long for the media and fans alike to call them the Dream Team due to their unfair lineup of some of the greatest NBA players of all-time. It truly was the greatest lineup ever built…. and Christian Laettner.