Now that the 2024 Olympic Games have concluded and Team USA completing the job and capturing the gold, here are some moments and games from Team USA that were most memorable from the last few weeks.

Coming into this showcase game, Team USA were HEAVY favorites to overwhelmingly win this matchup. The team from South Sudan were 40+ point underdogs and the game figured to be over early. To everyone’s surprise, this game turned out to be the closest game Team USA ended up playing during their time together. Behind Carlik Jones triple double (15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists), Team USA pulled the game out on a tough layup by eventual FIBA MVP LeBron James and then a controversial no call on the defensive end for the Americans. The game was a back-and-forth match with either team unable to pull away from each other. This game served as a preview of what was to come for South Sudan during the Olympics. They won their first pool game versus Puerto Rico and nearly beat Serbia to make the knockout round. The team was newly formed in 2011 under heavy influence from former NBA player Luol Deng. The team used their fearless three-point shooting and athletes to give more established teams and countries a run for their money. South Sudan opened some eyes and should be team to be watched going towards the next Olympic games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Team USA vs Serbia (Pool C game)

While the game itself ended up being a blowout in Team USA’s favor, what made this game memorable was Kevin Durant’s return to the team after missing the first mouth and a half of Team USA‘s games. KD immediately showed why he now has the title of ‘Mr. Team USA basketball’ coming off the bench. Durant only missed one shot in limited minutes and still led the team with 23 points. Another theme that started in this game was Jayson Tatum not playing a single minute in the win. Coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game that Tatum didn’t play because he wanted KD to get back in the flow of the games, but this game was the start of the basketball world wondering why Tatum ended being treated as the 11^th man in a 10-man rotation. Possibly motivation for Tatum to show Kerr and company that they made a mistake and to have a big year in the NBA coming up in a few months.

KD becoming the all-time leading scorer in Team USA history

When Team USA matched up with Brazil in the knockout round, Durant quietly became the all-time leading scorer in Team USA basketball history, male or female. Durant has scored a total of 518 points, which will be very hard to top going forward for anyone to top. Durant can possibly add to the total by playing for Team USA in ’28. He mentioned that he would be open to it which would mean Durant would be going for an unheard of fifth(!) gold medal in basketball.

Steph Curry goes God level and showed everyone that he’s the best shooter in the world

Team USA’s two final games in the Olympic were both close contests in which the team had a legit chance to lose the game. Serbia was up 17 in the second half and Team France was within three points with 2 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Enter: Steph ‘The Chef’ Curry. Up until those games, Curry had been playing ‘solid’ basketball but wasn’t really showing his extraordinary shooting skill that he has lit the NBA up with during his career. Durant, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker were Team USA’s main three-point threats in the first few Team USA games in Paris. Curry eventually took it upon himself to break out of his shooting slump and picked the right time. Curry blistered Serbia with 9(!) threes and 36 points (1 away from Carmelo Anthony’s 37 points for Team USA’s single game points record) to help Team USA complete the comeback to win a close 95 – 90 win vs the Serbians. Curry, then followed that unbelievable game by adding 8 (!) more three’s including this one to help Team USA capture gold:

This 2024 Team USA Men’s basketball team will be remembered as arguably the best team that has been put together with NBA players. There has already been conversations about who will be next up for Team USA and names like Ja Morant and Chet Holmgren has been discussed as players that could possibly be added to the already established core of Edwards, Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, and (maybe) Tatum. With countries with young and up and coming players like France, Serbia, and South Sudan on their national rosters, the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles will be must see TV.