Kevin Durant and LeBron James are among the top scorers at the Olympics. The NBA is the pinnacle of basketball, showcasing only the most exceptional talents who can thrive and shine. However, on an international scale, the Summer Olympics cannot be overlooked. It is where basketball becomes a global stage, capturing the attention of millions of fans worldwide. The Olympics not only gather the best talents from leagues around the globe but also allow basketball stars to shine and bring pride to their countries.

Team USA is always considered a formidable force in Olympic basketball, having won 16 out of 19 championships. Legends like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have delivered impressive performances. But do they rank among the top scorers in Olympic history? Despite the NBA being famous for its spectacular scoring and offensive play, Olympic basketball, organized by FIBA, offers a different flavor with unique rules and strategies. This hasn’t stopped top stars from showcasing their talents and making a significant impact.

Here are the five greatest scorers in Olympic basketball history, and this list might surprise many:

Manu Ginobili – 523 points

In Argentina, if soccer has Messi, basketball has Manu Ginobili. Both left-handed geniuses in their sports, fans will never forget the 2004 Athens Olympics when Ginobili led Argentina’s basketball team to defeat the mighty Team USA, led by Allen Iverson, who was at the peak of his career. After surpassing the American team, Ginobili and Argentina easily overcame Italy in the final to win the most precious gold medal in Argentine basketball history. Ginobili ranks fifth in all-time Olympic scoring with 523 points. Alongside Scola, Argentina became a formidable force in 2004, winning their first and only basketball gold medal. Ginobili began his career with an Argentine club before moving to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. He played for the Spurs for 16 seasons until 2018, winning four championships and making two All-Star appearances in 2005 and 2011.

Luis Scola – 591 points

Like Ginobili, Luis Scola began his basketball career with Argentine clubs before being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2002 NBA draft. However, he didn’t play in the NBA until 2007 because the Spurs didn’t buy out his contract with Argentine club Saski Baskonia. Finally, after five seasons, the Spurs bought out his contract for $3 million and transferred his rights to the Houston Rockets. Scola played for various NBA teams before retiring in 2021. He made history with 591 points in Olympic games, ranking fourth all-time. Scola was part of Argentina’s golden generation, winning numerous titles, including the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship, a silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Cup, and the pinnacle, a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics after defeating Team USA.

Pau Gasol – 649 points

Pau Gasol is one of the greatest basketball players, achieving success in both the NBA and international competitions. He ranks third in all-time Olympic scoring with 649 points. Gasol spent most of his career in the NBA, achieving glory on both stages. Starting in 1998 with FC Barcelona, Gasol played four seasons before being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2001 NBA Draft, immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol had his most success with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010. Internationally, Gasol led Spain to many successes, including three championships with FC Barcelona, the 2006 FIBA World Cup, and 649 points in Olympic games, placing him third all-time. Gasol has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest international basketball players.

Andrew Gaze – 789 points

Unlike the other top scorers, the two highest scorers in Olympic history never played in the NBA, which might surprise many, as the NBA is considered the cradle of world basketball. Andrew Gaze, the second-highest scorer in Olympic history, is the greatest player in Australia’s National Basketball League and an international star. Gaze scored 789 points in his Olympic career. In his 22-year professional career, Gaze won seven MVP awards in the Australian league and was the league’s top scorer 14 times. The 2.01-meter-tall player led Australia in five Olympic games, carrying the flag for the Australian team in 2000. Although Gaze never won a gold medal, his efforts on the court made him one of the greatest international players. Now retired, Gaze is a sports broadcaster in Australia and is regarded as one of the greatest players in Australian basketball history. He was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010.

Oscar Schmidt – 1,093 points

Oscar Schmidt is the all-time leading scorer in Olympic basketball history, despite never winning a gold medal. Schmidt leads in most categories and holds many records, including total points scored. Schmidt is considered the Michael Jordan of basketball outside the U.S. Standing at 2.05 meters, he had an exceptional long-range shooting ability. The Brazilian legend scored a total of 49,737 points in his 26-year basketball career from 1974 to 2003. Although LeBron James recently surpassed Schmidt in all-time global scoring, Schmidt remains the top Olympic scorer with 1,093 points, the only player to surpass 1,000 points in Olympic basketball. Schmidt’s career left many questions after retirement. He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and listed among FIBA’s 50 greatest players. Schmidt had many opportunities to play in the NBA but chose to stay in Brazil to play amateur leagues, mainly because FIBA only allowed amateur players to compete internationally. Players in the NBA and PBA were not allowed to play in international tournaments, and Schmidt sacrificed a promising NBA career to represent Brazil.

And that’s the list of the greatest Olympic scorers. It’s hard to believe that the most prominent stars of Team USA are not in this list, but it’s true. Team USA players often don’t participate in many Olympic seasons to achieve top scores, and with so many stars, points are rarely concentrated on one standout individual. When looking at Olympic basketball history, we must respect and honor the players who created great moments and left lasting legacies. Names like Oscar Schmidt, Andrew Gaze, Pau Gasol, or Manu Ginobili are not just international stars but also symbols of passion and dedication to basketball. They brought memorable games and impressive stats, contributing to the prestige of the sport.