2012
In a thrilling re-match from four years prior, the United States men’s team defeats Spain 107-100 in the gold medal game at the London Olympics. Kevin Durant leads the way with 30 points and nine rebounds, while LeBron James joins Michael Jordan as the only players to win NBA league MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal all in the same year. In the bronze medal game, Alexey Shved’s 25 points lead Russia to an 81-77 victory over Argentina. It’s Russia’s first Olympic medal since earning gold as the Soviet Union in 1988.
1927
Bob Harrison is born in Toledo, Ohio. While playing for his eighth grade team at LaGrange School in Toledo, he scored 139 points in a single game, which is believed to be the national record at that level. Of Winnebago tribe heritage, he is also believed to be the first Native American player in NBA history.
1950
ABA MVP and scoring champion George McGinnis is born in Harpersville, Alabama.
1959
Lynette Woodard is born in Wichita, Kansas. She led Wichita North High School to state titles in 1975 and 1977 before matriculating at the University of Kansas.
1974
NCAA All-American and WNBA All-Star Wendy Palmer is born in Timberlake, North Carolina.
1976
Antoine Walker is born in Chicago, Illinois. He was all-state at Mount Carmel High School and a teammate of future NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb.
1980
Rafael Araujo is born in Curitiba, Brazil.
1989
Dewayne Dedmon is born in Los Angeles, California. He did not begin playing organized basketball until age 18 due to the objections of his mother, a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
1991
James “Khris” Middleton is born in Charleston, South Carolina. He’s the cousin of Josh Powell, who won back-to-back championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
2008
The United States men’s team cruises past Angola 97-76 in a group stage game at the Olympics in Beijing. Dwyane Wade leads the way with 19 points, Dwight Howard scores 14, and Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James add 12 points each. Meanwhile, host China almost pulls off a stunning upset over Spain, but Pau Gasol keys a late Spanish comeback en route to an 85-75 victory in overtime.
2016
The United States men’s team just barely survives an upset bid from Serbia at the Olympics in Rio, winning 94-91 in group stage play when a three-pointer from Bogdan Bogdanovic just misses at the buzzer. A 21-year-old Nikola Jokic leads the way for Serbia with 25 points while six different American players score in double digits, led by Kyrie Irving’s 15.
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More on Team USA
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- Leveling Up: Eight players who have won an NCAA title, Olympic gold medal, and NBA title
- Early adopters: 12 legendary women’s basketball players who pre-dated the WNBA
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Basketball, Listed 