USA Basketball Memorable Moments

SI Staff | Apr 11, 2012

USA Basketball Memorable Moments /

USA Basketball Memorable Moments

1968

The U.S. has been a part of Olympic basketball since 1936, winning gold in Berlin, the first time basketball was part of the Summer Games. Fast-forward 32 years to the modern era of USA Basketball. An unknown 19-year-old junior college center at the time, Spencer Haywood lit up the scoreboard with 145 points in nine games at the 1968 Mexico City games to lead the underdog U.S. squad to its seventh gold medal.

1976

Led by its youngest member, 18-year-old Nancy Lieberman, the U.S. women took silver in the inaugural women's Olympic basketball tournament.

1976

After a controversial loss in the 1972 Munich Olympics, the U.S. men had more on their mind than Olympic gold: They wanted to beat the Soviets. In the semifinals, the Dean Smith-coached squad did just that, topping the USSR before beating Yugoslavia for the gold in the finals.

1984

The Pat Summit-coached squad topped teams by an average of 32.5 points to waltz to the 1984 gold medal.

1984

Bob Knight coached, while Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing led the men to easy victories throughout the 1984 Olympics, prompting Spain's coach to make an interesting offer: "[I asked] my good friend, Bob, if he want my whole team in trade for Pat Ewing and Michael Jordan. He no want." The U.S. won 96-65.

1988

As their male counterparts stumbled to bronze, the U.S. women, led by Anne Donovan (pictured), Cynthia Cooper and Theresa Edwards topped Yugoslavia to take gold at the Seoul Olympics.

1992

After a landmark decision allowing NBA players to compete in the games, the U.S. fielded its first "Dream Team." Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing brought home the gold, beating Croatia 117-85 in the gold-medal game.

1996

After some time away from the gold-medal stand, the U.S. women fielded one of the deepest teams in history, winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Games with Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes (7) and Lisa Leslie (9).

1996

The second incarnation of the Dream Team, complete with Charles Barkley (left), Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill (right) and big-name NBA stars, rolled their way to a gold.

2000

Kevin Garnett (seated) joined the Dream Team, helping it to its 12th gold medal in men's hoops after a win over France in the finals.

2000

Behind Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie (9) and Sheryl Swoopes (7), the U.S. women took home another gold in Sydney.

2004

As the men faltered, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird led the women to their fourth consecutive gold medal (and fifth overall) in Athens.

2008

A revamped Team USA took Beijing by storm, earning the nickname "The Redeem Team" and capturing gold for the first time since 2000.

Published Apr 11, 2012

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