One of the best basketball teams in Olympic history is USA Basketball. Both the men's and women's national teams are regarded as among the world's top basketball teams and have amassed countless gold medals.
With the first gold coming in 1936, the US men's basketball team has 15 gold medals in Olympic history. The team has recently dominated the field, taking home gold in every Olympics from 1992 to 2016. The squad is led by some of the greatest coaches in the world and includes several of the NBA's top players.
In recent Olympic competitions, the US women's basketball team has also enjoyed great success, taking home gold in 8 of the previous 9 competitions. Since women's basketball was added to the Olympics in 1976, the squad has taken home 9 gold medals in total. The women's squad, like the men's, has a number of the world's greatest players and is led by elite coaches.
Keeping this in mind, here we take a look at the best US Olympics basketball athletes of all time including men and women.
● Sue Bird
The United States women's national basketball team member Sue Bird is a highly renowned basketball player who has taken part in the Olympics many times. With the team, she earned four gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
● Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi is regarded as one of the all-time best basketball players, and her Olympic triumph is just one of many triumphs that have cemented her status as a legend in the sport. In addition, she and the squad took home four gold medals in 2004,2008,2012 & 2016.
● Teresa Edwards
American basketball star Diana Taurasi plays professionally. With the American women's national basketball team, Taurasi has also enjoyed success playing abroad, taking home four gold Olympic medals besides many other medals from FIBA World Cups and other international tournaments.
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● Lisa Leslie
She was born in Gardena, California, on July 7, 1972.Leslie has had success on the international stage and helped the American women's national basketball team earn four Olympic gold medals. Additionally, she has taken an active role in promoting women's sports and inspiring young females to take up athletics.
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● Tamika Catchings
Former professional basketball player Tamika Catchings represented the United States in four Olympic games while playing for the women's basketball squad. Tamika Catchings is regarded as one of the best women's basketball players of all time and has a total of four Olympic gold medals to her name.
● Carmelo Anthony
Anthony is known for his scoring ability, with a career average of 23.8 points per game. He is a 10-time NBA All-Star and has won 03 Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States men's basketball team.
● Sheryl Swoopes
Swoopes has had a fruitful international career, competing for the US women's basketball squad in numerous FIBA World Cups and Olympic Games. She took home three gold medals from the Olympics in 1996, 2000, and 2004. She also competed for the United States on teams that earned gold at the FIBA World Championships in 1998 and 2002.
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● Dawn Staley
American former professional basketball player Dawn Staley is currently a coach. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1970. Additionally, she won three Olympic gold medals as a player in 1996, 2000, and 2004.
● Katie Smith
Known for her advocacy work for women's basketball and gender equality, Katie Smith is a former American professional basketball player. As a member of the American women's basketball squad in 2000, 2004, and 2008, she captured three Olympic gold medals.
● Seimone Augustus
Seimone Augustus, a former American professional basketball player, has received praise for her efforts as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She got hitched in 2015, making history as the first athlete in the WNBA to marry someone of the same gender. In 2008, 2012, and 2016, she captured three Olympic gold medals while playing for the American women's basketball squad.
