Games of the XXVIIth Olympiad -- 2000

The 2000 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team did what they were sent to do: they won the Olympic gold medal. What wasn't expected were several tight contests that kept games suspenseful for U.S. team members and basketball fans worldwide for the first time since the 1988 Olympics.

2000 U.S. Olympic Team 2000 U.S. RESULTS (8-0) USA 119 China 72 USA 93 Italy 61 USA 85 Lithuania 76 USA 102 New Zealand 56 USA 106 France 94 USA 85 Russia 70 USA 85 Lithuania 83 USA 85 France 75 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES FINAL STANDINGS 1. United States (8-0) 7. Canada (5-2) 2. France (4-4) 8. Russia (3-4) 3. Lithuania (5-3) 9. Spain (2-4) 4. Australia (4-4) 10. China (2-4) 5. Italy(4-3) 11. New Zealand (1-5) 6. Yugoslavia (4-3) 12. Angola (0-6)

For the 12th time in 14 Olympics the United States men's Olympic team won gold and in the process upped its overall win-loss record in Olympic play to an astounding 109-2, including a current win streak numbering 25 consecutive victories.

The U.S. opened play on Sept. 17 and behind Ray Allen's 21 points recorded an impressive 119-72 win over China. Utilizing a balanced attack the U.S. handed 1999 European champ Italy a 93-61 setback. Receiving 14 points from Gary Payton, despite Lithuania never letting the U.S. break away, the U.S. posted a nine point victory, 85-76, the closest margin since NBA players began competing in 1992. New Zealand, making its first Olympic men's basketball appearance were whipped 102-56 win as Vince Carter and Allan Houston scored 18 and 17 points respectively. Closing out preliminary play against France, relying on 20 points and 11 rebounds from Antonio McDyess and 19 points and 11 boards from Kevin Garnett the USA secured a 12-point win, 106-94.

Meeting Russia in the quarterfinals, the USA led by five at halftime and went on to record an 85-70 win as Jason Kidd posted 10 points, a game high eight assists and seven rebounds, while Garnett added 16 points and 11 rebounds. Facing Lithuania again, this time in the semifinals, the U.S. was forced to rally back in the game's final 90 seconds and only after Lithuania's desperation three-pointer fell short as time ran out did the U.S. claim a tight 85-83 victory. Carter paced the U.S. scoring attack with 18 points, Mourning had 16 and Garnett finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds.

Fifteen days after opening the Olympics the USA faced France for the gold medal. The Americans, behind 13 points from Allen and Carter, led the entire game and despite opening a 14-point lead early, were unable to put France away. France rallied to within four, 76-72 with 4:26 to play, before the U.S. once again reasserted itself and pulled away for the 85-75 victory.

The USA's gold medal crusade was a team effort. Offensively, the U.S. averaged 95.0 points a game and all 12 players scored between 14.8 and 5.5 points a game. Carter led the U.S. in scoring and was third overall for the Olympics averaging 14.8 points a game, while Garnett added 10.8 ppg. and an Olympic competition leading 9.1 rebounds. Mourning added 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and an Olympic high 2.3 blocked shots a game and Allen finished averaging 9.8 ppg. Kidd led the U.S. and ranked fourth in the Olympics in assists averaging 4.4 per game, and two-time Olympian Payton added 3.4 apg. to rank eighth among all players.

2000 U.S. Olympic Games Team Roster