Dream Team royalty sits next to the college kids who won gold before NBA pros were allowed in. Medal counts matter, but one unforgettable fortnight can weigh just as much.
1David RobinsonCenter with a 1988 bronze and golds with the 1992 and 1996 teams.1000pts
2Michael JordanTwo-time gold medalist who led the 1984 college team and starred on the 1992 Dream Team.850pts
3Dwyane WadeLeading scorer of the 2008 Redeem Team that won gold in Beijing.728pts
4Hakeem OlajuwonHall of Fame center who won gold with the 1996 Atlanta team.680pts
5Spencer Haywood19-year-old star who led the 1968 Mexico City team to gold.679pts
6John StocktonPoint guard on the 1992 and 1996 gold-medal teams.624pts
7Kevin DurantFour-time gold medalist (2012-2024) and the leading scorer in US men's Olympic history.624pts
8Adrian DantleyLeading scorer of the 1976 Montreal gold-medal team.624pts
9Jason KiddPoint guard who went unbeaten in Olympic play, winning gold in 2000 and 2008.560pts
10Jerry LucasForward on the 1960 Rome gold-medal team.485pts
11Shaquille O'NealDominant center on the 1996 Atlanta gold-medal team.485pts
12Charles BarkleyLeading scorer of the 1992 Dream Team and a 1996 gold medalist.485pts
13Chris PaulPoint guard who won gold in 2008 and 2012.485pts
14Scottie PippenDefensive stopper who won gold in 1992 and 1996.485pts
15Carmelo AnthonyForward with three golds and a bronze, who scored a record 37 points against Nigeria in 2012.397pts
16Patrick EwingTwo-time gold medalist, as a collegian in 1984 and with the 1992 Dream Team.397pts
17Bill RussellCenter who led the 1956 Melbourne team to gold before joining the Celtics.397pts
18Karl MalonePower forward on the 1992 and 1996 gold-medal teams.397pts
19Stephen CurryParis 2024 gold medalist whose late threes sealed the semifinal and final.397pts
20Oscar RobertsonCo-captain and top scorer of the 1960 Rome team, often called the greatest amateur side.397pts
21Magic JohnsonCo-captain and floor general of the 1992 Barcelona Dream Team.291pts
22LeBron JamesThree-time gold medalist and MVP of the 2024 Paris tournament, plus a 2004 bronze.291pts
23Kobe BryantCloser of the 2008 Redeem Team gold-medal final and a 2012 gold medalist.291pts
24Clyde DrexlerAthletic guard on the 1992 Dream Team.291pts
25Gary PaytonDefensive guard who won gold in 1996 and 2000.291pts
26Anthony DavisBig man who won gold in 2012 and 2024.291pts
27Bill BradleyCaptain of the 1964 Tokyo gold-medal team.291pts
28Larry BirdCo-captain of the 1992 Dream Team in the final year of his career.0pts
29Vince Carter2000 Sydney gold medalist famed for his dunk over 7-foot-2 Frederic Weis.0pts
30Jerry WestCo-captain of the unbeaten 1960 Rome gold-medal team.0pts
31Bob KurlandSeven-foot center who became the first two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist, in 1948 and 1952.0pts
Photo credits
- Michael Jordan — Zach Catanzareti Photo, CC BY 2.0
- Dwyane Wade — Flickr user Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kevin Durant — Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jason Kidd — Chrishmt0423, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Shaquille O'Neal — TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0
- Chris Paul — Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
- Scottie Pippen — Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Carmelo Anthony — Tripsdubs, CC BY 4.0
- Patrick Ewing — AlexanderJonesi, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Stephen Curry — Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Magic Johnson — Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0
- LeBron James — Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
- Kobe Bryant — Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Gary Payton — Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Anthony Davis — Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
- Larry Bird — Kurt Shimala, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Vince Carter — Danny Bollinger, CC BY 2.0
