LeBron James holds the American flag during an Olympic basketball game. Image courtesy of Getty Images
Basketball has been a staple of the Summer Olympics for every iteration of the international classic since 1936. The sport, which originated in the United States, has gained a powerful international presence, with numerous countries sporting their own professional leagues.
However, none of those leagues have come close to the size, power and skill level that the NBA consists of and attracts. The NBA is the world’s premier sports league, and no doubt surrounds that fact. It, therefore, makes sense that the United States has won the most Gold Medals in Olympic Basketball history.
But how many Gold Medals has Team USA actually won? And which other countries have taken home the Gold? The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics will commence on July 26 and end on August 11, so with the global event fast approaching, it is time to take a look at the all-time standings.
American Dominance
The United States has won the most Gold Medals in Olympic Basketball. Since 1936, Team USA has won Gold in 16 of the 19 men’s tournaments, and 9 out of 11 women’s tournaments.
The men’s Team USA won seven consecutive Gold Medals from 1936 (the inception) to 1968. Meanwhile, the women’s Team USA has won the Gold every year since 1996 (seven straight times).
Carmelo Anthony has won the most Gold Medals of any individual in Olympic Basketball, doing so three times in 2008, 2012, and 2016. He also won a Bronze Medal in 2004, his first appearance.
Following Anthony, the next Americans to have the most Gold Medals are Kevin Durant with three (Anthony is the all-time leader as he has a total of four Medals), David Robinson with two, and LeBron James with two.
Other Winners
As Team USA has won 16 of the 19 contests, that means three other countries have bested America at its own sport. Those times came in 1972 and 1988, when the Soviet Union won the Gold (Team USA took the Silver and Bronze in 1972 and 1988, respectively), and 2004, when Argentina won.
Yugoslavia won the tournament in 1980, but the United States boycotted that year’s Olympics due to a protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan which began in 1979. Therefore, it is not counted on official records.
The Soviets also have the most Silver medals in Olympic Basketball history, with four straight from 1952 to 1964. Following them, France and Spain have three each (France in 1948, 2000, and 2020; and Spain in 1984, 2008, and 2012).
Finally, Brazil, Lithuania and the Soviet Union are all tied with the most Bronze medals in Olympic Basketball, each having three. Brazil won the Bronze in 1948, 1960, and 1964; Lithuania in 1992, 1996, and 2000; and the Soviet Union in 1986, 1976, and 1980).
