Having a stacked roster of star players would make it inevitable for some of them to be on a list for best players in a tournament.
This is surely the case for Team USA’s men’s basketball team, blowing by their competition with ease as they have yet to face an opponent where the game is decided by single digits in the Paris Olympics.
FIBA most certainly noticed that following the U.S.’s 35-point blowout victory against Brazil in the quarterfinals. They revealed their final list of players who are contending for Olympics MVP, and three of Team USA’s players made the list: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis.
FIBA’s Final Olympic MVP Ladder:
1. LeBron James
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Dennis Schroder
4. Kevin Durant
5. Franz Wagner
6. Bogdan Bogdanovic
7. Victor Wembanyama
8. Guerschon Yabusele
9. Anthony Davis
10. Daniel Theis pic.twitter.com/8koVh6aJo7
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 7, 2024
James is one of two Team USA members in the top five for Olympic MVP, alongside Phoenix Suns‘ star Kevin Durant, who takes the fourth spot. The list also includes the Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic from Serbia, and Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder from Germany, and Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner of Germany.
The latter half of the Olympic MVP contenders features Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic of Serbia, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama from France, forward Guerschon Yabusele from France, Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis from the U.S., and New Orleans Pelicans big man Daniel Theis from Germany.
At the pinnacle of the rankings, James’ pivotal role in leading Team USA to a gold medal could greatly enhance his chances for the MVP award.
During his fourth Olympic stint, James has been excellent as a steady leader on a remarkable talented U.S. roster. He is averaging 13.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game on 67.6% shooting from the field. His partner in the top five, Durant, is putting up 14.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 60% shooting. Last but not least, Davis is having numbers of 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 57.7% shooting.
James, Durant, and Davis will look forward to propelling Team USA to the gold medal by beating Serbia in the semifinals. The game will tip-off on Aug. 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET