Is Kevin Durant the greatest USA Olympic men’s basketball player ever?

Is Kevin Durant the greatest USA Olympic men’s basketball player ever?

Kevin Durant added to his historic international basketball career Saturday.

The United States clinched their fifth straight Gold Medal with a 98-87 win over France, where Durant finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists plus one steal and block apiece. He shot 5-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-9 from the 3-point line.

Not only did Durant, famously nicknamed the “Slim Reaper,” break Lisa Leslie‘s all-time leading scoring record in USA Basketball history this week, but he became the first player in the program’s history to win four gold medals.

Entering Saturday, he was only the second-ever men’s player to win three gold medals, the other being Carmelo Anthony, who took home all three from 2008-16. Durant’s now the only player with four, though 2024 Olympics MVP LeBron James secured his third with Saturday’s win, too.

With those two accomplishments, that begs the question: Is Durant the greatest USA Olympic men’s player ever?

Scoring isn’t everything, but he’s averaged the three-highest point-per-game averages in USA history for the men’s side and was third on this year’s team, averaging 13.8 points on 54.0 percent shooting and 51.9 percent from 3-point range (14-27).

Kevin Durant speaks on breaking USA’s all-time Olympic scoring record

He’s averaged the most points in men’s USA Olympic basketball history–posting 18.5–with the most field goals (173), free-throw makes (84), 3-point makes (88), rebounds (137); he’s also totaled the second-most assists (85), third-most blocks (17) and sixth-most steals (34).

The sure-fire Hall of Famer has a historic career off the court. The only people in the discussion would likely be Anthony or James, even though I think Durant solidified his case Saturday. Whether you believe he is or not, appreciate greatness. Players like Durant don’t grow on trees. Appreciate greatness–whether it’s Durant, James, Stephen Curry, etc.–while it’s at your doorstep before it’s too late.

Who do you think is the greatest? Let us know in the comments below!

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