1956 Men’s Basketball Team
Led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, the 1956 U.S. Men’s Basketball Team was dominant at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, winning each of its eight games by at least 30 points en route to winning a gold medal.
Olympic basketball and Paralympic wheelchair basketball rank among the most popular sports to watch during the Games. Approximately 10 million viewers from around the world tune in to watch the Olympic basketball final, and nearly 2 million viewers watch the wheelchair basketball finals in the Paralympics every four years.
In fact, the gold medal game of the men’s basketball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, featuring Team USA against France, stands as the most-viewed final game since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, reaching a peak at approximately 22.7 million viewers.
From thrilling three-point shots to strategic long-range attempts, defensive steals, and seamless transition plays, let’s explore the crowd-favorite games of basketball and wheelchair basketball.
Basketball made its first debut as a demonstration sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis as a demonstration event. Basketball became an official Olympic medal sport for men in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics and for women in 1976 at the Montreal Olympics. The U.S. men’s basketball team has secured 17 gold medals since 1936, making them the most successful in Olympic history. The U.S. women’s basketball team has won 9 gold medals since the women’s tournament began in 1976, also making them the most successful in Olympic history.
Since basketball was invented in the late 1800s, the U.S. has dominated and made a notable impression in the Olympic Games. The United States men’s basketball team won 17 gold medals and the women’s basketball team won 9 gold medals, making the United States the most successful country in the history of men’s and women’s Olympic basketball.
Some of the most distinguished men’s basketball players in Olympic history are Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. The 1992 Dream Team is often regarded as the best American Olympic basketball team, featuring legendary players such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen. A total of five players from the initial roster and six additional players from the bench were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Over the years, many names from the women’s Olympic basketball roster have impressed viewers and made headlines including A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young. Diana Taurasi remains the all-time leader for the most Olympic medals in basketball, with a total of six gold medals, and also boasts the most victories and appearances at the Olympic Games.
Men’s wheelchair basketball became part of the Paralympic Games in 1960, followed by women’s wheelchair basketball in 1968. As one of the oldest Paralympic sports, wheelchair basketball was one of the eight original events played at the inaugural Paralympic Games.
Team USA set new records by becoming the first men’s wheelchair basketball team ever to win three gold medals at the Paralympics. The women’s wheelchair basketball team from the United States remains the top force in the sport, bringing home the gold medal four times at the Paralympic Games.
Well-known U.S. wheelchair basketball athletes include Robb Taylor and Steve Serio on the men’s team, both of whom competed in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, and Josie Aslakson and Kaitlyn Eaton on the women’s team.
Led by Bill Russell and K.C. Jones, the 1956 U.S. Men’s Basketball Team was dominant at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, winning each of its eight games by at least 30 points en route to winning a gold medal.
Perhaps the greatest amateur basketball team ever assembled, the roster included 10 future NBA players, including the next four players to win Rookie of the Year. The team won its games by an average of 42.4 points en route to the gold medal.
Guard Jerry Shipp and forward Bill Bradley led the way as the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team won its sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The best basketball team ever assembled, the 1992 U.S. Men’s Basketball Team had 11 future Hall of Famers and won all of its games by at least 30 points in the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games.
David Kiley competed at five Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball, track and field, and alpine skiing. He won a total of 13 Paralympic medals.
David Robinson did not stand out on the basketball court until starring at the Naval Academy. He played in three Olympic Games, winning two gold medals and one bronze.
One of the greatest basketball coaches of all-time, Hank Iba guided the United States men’s basketball teams to two Olympic gold medals and one silver.
A four-time Olympic gold medalist, Lisa Leslie owns 10 U.S. Olympic records, including most points in a game (35). Leslie was a three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and two-time WNBA champion.
Pat Summitt led the U.S. women’s basketball team to Olympic gold in Los Angeles 1984. She was the first female coach to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame.
After losing use of his legs in a farming accident, Randy Snow once again became an elite athlete, winning two Paralympic gold medals and one bronze.
One of the great shooters of her generation, Teresa Edwards played in five Olympic Games and led the U.S. women’s basketball team to four gold medals.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum offers parking in the adjacent Park Union District lot for $7.50 per-day. Metered parking is also available on Sierra Madre and Vermijo.
Olympic Marks are used under license from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. 36 U.S.C. 220506
Website development supported in part by a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office.
