# Who is the best USA men's Olympic basketball player?

> 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.

*By YPB Team · Published October 31, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-usa-mens-olympic-basketball-player*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **David Robinson** — score 1000/1000
   Center with a 1988 bronze and golds with the 1992 and 1996 teams.
2. **Michael Jordan** — score 850/1000
   Two-time gold medalist who led the 1984 college team and starred on the 1992 Dream Team.
3. **Dwyane Wade** — score 728/1000
   Leading scorer of the 2008 Redeem Team that won gold in Beijing.
4. **Hakeem Olajuwon** — score 680/1000
   Hall of Fame center who won gold with the 1996 Atlanta team.
5. **Spencer Haywood** — score 679/1000
   19-year-old star who led the 1968 Mexico City team to gold.
6. **John Stockton** — score 624/1000
   Point guard on the 1992 and 1996 gold-medal teams.
7. **Kevin Durant** — score 624/1000
   Four-time gold medalist (2012-2024) and the leading scorer in US men's Olympic history.
8. **Adrian Dantley** — score 624/1000
   Leading scorer of the 1976 Montreal gold-medal team.
9. **Jason Kidd** — score 560/1000
   Point guard who went unbeaten in Olympic play, winning gold in 2000 and 2008.
10. **Jerry Lucas** — score 485/1000
   Forward on the 1960 Rome gold-medal team.
11. **Shaquille O'Neal** — score 485/1000
   Dominant center on the 1996 Atlanta gold-medal team.
12. **Charles Barkley** — score 485/1000
   Leading scorer of the 1992 Dream Team and a 1996 gold medalist.
13. **Chris Paul** — score 485/1000
   Point guard who won gold in 2008 and 2012.
14. **Scottie Pippen** — score 485/1000
   Defensive stopper who won gold in 1992 and 1996.
15. **Carmelo Anthony** — score 397/1000
   Forward with three golds and a bronze, who scored a record 37 points against Nigeria in 2012.
16. **Patrick Ewing** — score 397/1000
   Two-time gold medalist, as a collegian in 1984 and with the 1992 Dream Team.
17. **Bill Russell** — score 397/1000
   Center who led the 1956 Melbourne team to gold before joining the Celtics.
18. **Karl Malone** — score 397/1000
   Power forward on the 1992 and 1996 gold-medal teams.
19. **Stephen Curry** — score 397/1000
   Paris 2024 gold medalist whose late threes sealed the semifinal and final.
20. **Oscar Robertson** — score 397/1000
   Co-captain and top scorer of the 1960 Rome team, often called the greatest amateur side.
21. **Magic Johnson** — score 291/1000
   Co-captain and floor general of the 1992 Barcelona Dream Team.
22. **LeBron James** — score 291/1000
   Three-time gold medalist and MVP of the 2024 Paris tournament, plus a 2004 bronze.
23. **Kobe Bryant** — score 291/1000
   Closer of the 2008 Redeem Team gold-medal final and a 2012 gold medalist.
24. **Clyde Drexler** — score 291/1000
   Athletic guard on the 1992 Dream Team.
25. **Gary Payton** — score 291/1000
   Defensive guard who won gold in 1996 and 2000.
26. **Anthony Davis** — score 291/1000
   Big man who won gold in 2012 and 2024.
27. **Bill Bradley** — score 291/1000
   Captain of the 1964 Tokyo gold-medal team.
28. **Larry Bird** — score 0/1000
   Co-captain of the 1992 Dream Team in the final year of his career.
29. **Vince Carter** — score 0/1000
   2000 Sydney gold medalist famed for his dunk over 7-foot-2 Frederic Weis.
30. **Jerry West** — score 0/1000
   Co-captain of the unbeaten 1960 Rome gold-medal team.
31. **Bob Kurland** — score 0/1000
   Seven-foot center who became the first two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist, in 1948 and 1952.

Tags: usa, men, basketball, olympics, players, nba