Team USA is the most dominant basketball team in FIBA/Olympic history. But who are the players who have led the team to victory?

The United States men’s national basketball team is by far the most successful team in the history of international competition. Team USA has medaled in all 19 Olympic Games it has participated in, 16 of which have won a gold medal. They also have the most medals in FIBA World Cup history, as five of their 12 medals were gold.

The FIBA World Cup 2023 tournament will kick off on August 25. NBA stars like Anthony Edwards and Brandon Ingram highlight the USA Basketall roster this year, but who are the best players to ever represent the United States?

These rankings seen below do not take into account one’s career outside of Team USA games (college asketall, NBA, etc.), nor do they rank players in terms of their team and talent level. Instead, these rankings are only intended to establish who has had the best races wearing a Team USA jersey. That includes runs at the Olympic Games and the FIBA World Cup.

It’s also worth noting that prior to 1989, professionals were not allowed to compete in FIBA events. Therefore, some players on this list were limited to one FIBA appearance that took place during their amateur careers. To make this list, in that case, you had to be particularly dominant in your tournament appearance, as many other players didn’t have the luxury of playing in multiple Olympic Games and/or FIBA World Cup tournaments. All stats shown come from the official Team USA Basketall website.

Here are the top 10 ƄasketƄall players in Team USA history:

10. Spencer Haywood: 1968 Olympics

One of the players who was only allowed one appearance at the Olympics was Spencer Haywood. He made an impression as a member of the US national team that won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Haywood gave a scoring clinic in the 1968 games as he scored 145 total points, the third-most in any Olympic Games for a Team USA player. That year, Haywood scored the most field goals for Team USA (64), as he scored the rock with an incredibly efficient rate of 71.9 percent from the field. His game may not be known to many as this took place five decades ago, but give Haywood his flowers!

9. Jerry Lucas: 1960 Olympics

Jerry Lucas was the victim of only missing one beer to play in an Olympic Game, like Haywood, due to rules that prevent NBA players from playing. As an amateur, Lucas dominated the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. What he lacked in career numbers, Lucas made up for in statistical brilliance during his 1960 career.

While taking home the gold medal alongside NBA great Oscar RoƄertson, who just missed out on these rankings, Lucas averaged 17 points per game. That’s the third-highest average in Team USA history. His 14 field goals against Japan are also tied for the most in any Team USA game, Olympics or FIBA World Championship.

Lucas’s team won with an average margin of over 40 points per game.

8. KoƄe Bryant: 2008, 2012, Olympics

KoƄe Bryant has never lost a game with Team USA.

While he didn’t begin his national team career until well into his NBA career, KoƄe was the clear perennial leader once he joined the team. Bryant went 16-0 in Olympic games and if you count his exhibition games and time in the FIBA Americas tournament, he won an additional 20 games. This gives him a 36-0 career record representing USA BasketƄall.

Bryant early set the precedent that “Team Redee” in 2008 meant business. Spain was the defending world champion and was led by Paul Gasol, Bryant’s teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers. The United States finally faced Spain in the championship game, defeating them 118-107.

“KoƄe said he was going to set the tone to start the game,” LeBron James said of Bryant at the 2008 Olympics. “He said I’m running for Pau’s fucking chest.”

Well, Bryant did just that, showing that he would do whatever it took to win. This was his mentality every time he stepped on the court, especially at the Olympics. Team USA tested Spain in part thanks to Bryant’s legendary display in the fourth quarter. Her mom mentality was on full display as Bryant scored 13 points in the fourth quarter of this tournament.

7. Stephen Curry: Championship/FIBA World Cup 2010, 2014

Throughout her illustrious career, Steph Curry has yet to appear at the Olympics. However, that may change very soon.

Still, his record with Team USA is impressive. He won gold in both of his appearances at the FIBA Championship/World Cup, as the tournament’s name was changed after the 2010 event. This is something only two other players have done in USA Basketall history.

Curry has played in 17 FIBA World Cup/Championship games, but has never missed a free kick, going 19-19. His 43 career assists are also the third most in Team USA’s FIBA World Cup history.

6. Alonzo in mourning: 200th Olympic Games, 1990, FIBA World Championship 1994

Alonzo Mourning is a player on this list who did more damage at the FIBA World Championship than he did at the Olympics. He is the most dominant FIBA World Championship player in Team USA history, leading the nation in nearly every statistical category. That includes leading in career points (215), rebounds (102) and blocks (46).

Dueling was a defensive force, and that also translated into the Olympics. His 2.3 fixed shots per game are second all-time, while his six fixed shots against Italy during the group match at the 2000 Olympics are tied for the team record.

5. Daʋid RoƄinson: 1988, 1992, 1996 Olympics, 1986 FIBA World Championship

Daʋid RoƄinson is nicknamed “The Admiral” due to his time in military service with Naʋy, so it’s only fitting that he is one of the greatest players to ever represent the USA in FIBA competition.

RoƄinson is tied for second all-time with three Olympic medals in total, two of them gold and the third bronze. He took his national team career seriously as he is tied for second most Olympic games played for Team USA.

A big part of national team basketball is the sense of pride in your country that you inspire in the fans. The Admiral did just that with his shot-blocking ability. The 24 times he has defeated his opponents in the Olympics are the most times in Team USA history.

At the 1986 FIBA World Championship, RoƄinson miraculously had 17 blocks in a game against Yugoslavia. In just one FIBA World Championship appearance, RoƄinson had 25 blocks, which ranks second all-time in the tournament for Team USA.

4. LeBron James: 2004, 2008, 2012 Olympics, 2006 FIBA World Championship

When you play on the Team USA national team, you will always be playing with other great players. Therefore, sometimes you have to make statistical and playstyle sacrifices. Throughout his Olympic career, LeBron James has been the king of “versatility”, always doing what his teams need him to do in the FIBA game.

He ranks first in career points (273), rebounds (95), 3-pointers (22) and steals (36), plus his 88 all-time assists lead Team USA.

An iron man in the NBA, James is also tied for second all-time in Olympic games played by Team USA (24), further illustrating his impressive durability and stamina. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and one-time Olympic bronze medalist, James also took home a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

3. Michael Jordan: 1984 and 1992 Olympics

Michael Jordan was in his prime when he headlined “The Dream Team,” Team USA’s first Olympic team filled with NBA players. Although she only dressed for Team USA twice, she made the most of her two Olympic appearances, winning gold and dominating the field at both tournaments.

The 1992 Dream Team was packed with talent, and Jordan showcased his defensive skills to lead the team. He had eight steals in a game on two different occasions, which is a Team USA record. His 49 steals in the Olympics are 11 more than anyone else who has ever worn a USA BasketƄall jersey.

Even with his defensive energy, Jordan still carried the offensive load, as his 256 career points are the most by any Team USA player with two or fewer Olympic appearances. Jordan’s teams were unstoppable, but perhaps more importantly, he was the best player on the biggest team in Olympic basketball history.

2. Carmelo Anthony: 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympics, 2006 FIBA World Championship

Carmelo Anthony may have retired from ƄasketƄall without ever winning an NBA Finals, but he is one of the most decorated players in international ƄasketƄall history. Anthony has the most medals in Team USA history and began his national team career after his rookie season in the NBA.

Although the 2004 Olympic team was a disappointment, Anthony and Team USA still clinched a bronze medal. The future Hall of Famer went on to play in the Olympic Games three more times, winning gold in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Anthony even played for the national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, adding another bronze medal to his name.

Anthony has not only recorded the second most points scored in an Olympic game for Team USA, but also holds the record for most points scored in one game. He scored 37 points against Nigeria in 2012 and the player’s Olympic records don’t end there.

Anthony holds the Team USA Olympic record for 3-pointers made in a game (10), free throws made in a game (13), and career rebounds (125). He has also played in more Olympic games than any other Team USA player (31). Anthony’s success didn’t come only at the Olympics, either, as he also set the record for most points in FIBA World Cup history for Team USA players when he scored 35 points against Italy, though the guy who ranks #1 on This list has since broken that record.

1. Keʋin Durant: Olympic Games 2012, 2016, 2020, FIBA World Championship 2010

The most dominant player in Team USA history, Keʋin Durant, holds FIBA records. Durant has brought home a gold medal for Team USA in every event he has played in, winning gold in three Olympic Games as well as the 2010 FIBA World Championship, a tournament in which he was named MVP.

In Olympic play, Durant scored 156 total points in 2012 and 155 total points in 2016. Those numbers are the first and second all-time Team USA records, respectively, for total points in a tournament. Her 20.7 points per game in her third Olympic Games (2020) is the only time a member of Team USA has recorded at least 20 points per game.

The “Sliм Reaper” wows his teammates when it comes to career Olympic 3-pointers made (74), free throws made (69) and total points (435). His 435 career points are 99 more than the next closest scorer.

Durant also dominated the FIBA World Championship. His 38 points against Lithuania in 2010 are a Team USA record, as is his 205 total points that year. KD is by far the leading scorer in Team USA history and has the accolades to justify this first-place finish in USA Basket history.