- Winning the gold medal is one of the most important achievements in a player’s career
- Some of the greatest players ever have never won gold in the Olympics
- Two of the ten best talents in NBA history have never won for their country
The Olympic Games stand as a pinnacle of achievement in the world of sports, where athletes from around the globe gather to compete on the grandest stage. In the world of basketball, this is also magnified. The NBA has produced a plethora of legendary players, many of whom have donned their national colors in pursuit of Olympic glory. However, an Olympic gold medal, while a dream for most, has eluded some of the greatest basketball talents the NBA has ever seen.
Despite their immense success in the professional realm, the gold medal has remained tantalizingly out of reach. Whether due to historical circumstances, fierce competition, or sheer bad luck, these players’ Olympic journeys have been marked by near-misses and what-ifs.
In this article, we delve into the careers of these remarkable NBA stars who have left an indelible mark on the basketball world but have yet to lay their hands on the ultimate prize in Olympic basketball. Here are the 10 greatest NBA stars without an Olympic gold medal on their resumes.
Honorable Mention
Bradley Beal
Olympic Appearances: 0
Bradley Beal, widely recognized as one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA, has carved out an impressive career marked by scoring prowess as he averaged at least 30 points per game twice in his NBA career. However, despite his individual accolades and contributions to the sport, an Olympic gold medal has remained an elusive prize for this talented athlete.
In 2020, Beal was selected to join Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics. Anticipation was high for his Olympic debut, as he brought his scoring prowess to a team in transition, but unfortunately, Beal’s Tokyo Olympic experience was cut short due to health and safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disappointment of missing out on the Games, especially after waiting four years, was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow.
Hopefully, Beal can manage to join the roster in the 2024 Olympics and capture his first gold medal to add to his resume.
10. Tracy McGrady
Olympic Appearances: 0
Tracy McGrady, a dynamic and versatile talent in the world of basketball, left an indelible mark on the NBA with his scoring ability, athleticism, and flair for the game. However, despite his remarkable achievements, including two scoring titles and seven All-Star Team selections, an Olympic gold medal eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
T-Mac never decided to suit up for Team USA in the Olympics, and he had the chance to win gold with the American stars in the 2004 Olympics. However, McGrady backed out due to concerns about his own life because he did not feel it was right for him at the time due to his decision to get married. Even if McGrady ended up making the NBA Hall of Fame, not having the Olympic gold medal might bother the superstar shooting guard.
9. Chris Webber
Olympic Appearances: 0
Despite Chris Webber’s undeniably productive career, he really had only one great shot at an Olympic roster. Considering Webber was injured for the 2004 Olympics, the big man should have been a no-brainer for the 2000 team. Instead of Webber, the U.S. chose Vin Baker, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Antonio McDyess.
Even if Webber was a one-time All-Star at the time, Webber was coming off a year where he averaged 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. In hindsight, Team USA might have made a mistake not letting the future Hall of Famer represent the country in the Sydney games because he was more talented than Baker, Abdur-Rahim, and McDyess.
8. Bill Walton
Olympic Appearances: 0
Bill Walton, in his prime, was a monster in the NBA. Walton dominated the 1976-77 NBA Finals and won Finals MVP, along with winning another championship in the 1985-86 season. Walton’s injuries ended the big man’s prime, but he still ended up in the Hall of Fame with two All-Star appearances and an MVP award.
However, Walton’s biggest miss in his career was not suiting up for Team USA in 1972. The Americans famously failed in the 1972 Olympics in Munich due to controversy against the Soviet Union, and there is no doubt that Walton would have made a massive difference.
The big man was not only the best college player at the time but the biggest star, having led the Bruins to a 30-0 record and the 1972 NCAA title. As a result, Walton never won the Olympic gold.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Olympic Appearances: 0
Kawhi Leonard has yet to compete in the Olympics, but it seems his time is nearing. Leonard is clearly excited to reunite with head coach Gregg Popovich and go after the elusive gold medal to continue building his future Hall of Fame resume. As one of the best two-way stars in the world, there is no doubt that Kawhi will make a major impact for the Americans.
If Leonard does suit up for Team USA in Tokyo, it will almost be guaranteed that he will end up taking home the gold medal. The reason is that many of the top stars will compete for their country in 2024 and youngsters competing in the FIBA World Cup right now will gain the experience they need to make a push.
No doubt, Leonard is ready to add Olympic gold to a resume that has two NBA titles and two Finals MVP awards.
6. Allen Iverson
Olympic Appearances: 1
Allen Iverson, an electrifying point guard known for his scoring ability, tenacity, and cultural impact, left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. Despite his numerous accomplishments and influence on and off the court, an Olympic gold medal eluded him throughout his storied career.
Iverson’s best chance to win Olympic gold came in 2004 with Team USA as one of the leaders of the team alongside Tim Duncan. However, Team USA lacked enough veterans because the core of the team also included rookie LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.
As a result, the Americans flopped in the Olympics, as they only won the bronze medal. No doubt, Iverson missed the opportunity to add the gold medal just as he missed the chance to win an NBA title over his career.
5. Isiah Thomas
Olympic Appearances: 0
Isiah Thomas is one of the greatest point guards ever in terms of leadership, toughness, and playmaking ability. A 12-time All-Star with a host of other awards to his name, Thomas was famously left off the 1992 Dream Team roster. A torn Achilles ended his career in 1994, thus making a last-ditch hope for the 1996 team impossible.
His only hope was playing in Barcelona. However, it was clear that Michael Jordan kept him off the team because even if Thomas truly belonged on the team, it was never going to happen.
To maintain chemistry and prevent any ill-will between the teammates, Thomas was not selected, and that might be the most painful moment of the two-time NBA champion’s career.
4. Moses Malone
Olympic Appearances: 0
There are many questions as to why Moses Malone was not a part of the 1992 Dream Team. However, Moses was not the player he used to be when he was a legitimate superstar player, hauling down over 15 rebounds per game. Rather, he was 36 years old and only averaged 15.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA season.
No surprise, Malone would never average in double-digits in scoring following that season and would go on to retire following the 1994-95 season. Moses was never going to earn minutes ahead of Patrick Ewing and David Robinson, and even Christian Laettner was younger and more productive at that time.
That chance passed him and Moses never won an Olympic gold medal.
3. Stephen Curry
Olympic Appearances: 0
Stephen Curry finally got over the hump with regards to his NBA career by capturing his first Finals MVP award with the Golden State Warriors in the 2021-22 season. However, Curry’s critics are now pointing out that he has yet to appear for Team USA in the Olympics. The greatest shooter alive has the chance to get it done in 2024, and it is clear Steve Kerr wants him to play.
Curry has a legitimate chance to win the gold medal and continue building his case as one of the few point guards to challenge Magic Johnson’s throne as the best point guard of all time.
Steph has the best chance to win the medal because it is likely the star’s last chance, considering he is 35 years old. With a gold medal, there might not be much more critics can point out about the point guard’s career.
2. Wilt Chamberlain
Olympic Appearances: 0
Wilt Chamberlain never appeared in the Olympics for Team USA despite being one of the greatest players ever. In fact, he might be the most dominant. Chamberlain had a chance to make the roster as a college player for the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Australia, but he was too young at the time.
By the time the 1960 Games in Rome rolled around, Chamberlain had turned pro but was still not considered for the roster. The fact that the greatest stat-sheet stuffer of all time never appeared for Team USA is quite shocking, as the roster was made up of mainly nonstars for the bulk of the decade he competed in.
Chamberlain is behind one other player as the greatest NBA star without an Olympic gold medal.
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Olympic Appearances: 0
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably the greatest center of all time taking into account his success in college and the NBA. With six NBA titles, six MVPs, and two Finals MVPs to his name, Kareem accomplished everything in the game of professional basketball. However, Abdul-Jabbar never won Olympic gold, and that stemmed from the time he decided against it for personal reasons.
In terms of his playing on the USA Olympic team, Alcindor decided not to take part in the 1968 tryouts due to the backing of the Negro boycott of the international competition. Kareem was not only an all-time great player but someone who stood up for his beliefs and was willing to end up retiring as one of the most polarizing athletes of all time.
