The 2024 Paris Olympics are here, and the men's basketball talent pool is as deep as ever before.
The United States is sending one of its most star-studded rosters in Olympic history, headlined by generational players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
All-NBA First-Teamers like Serbia's Nikola Jokic, Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo will do everything in their power to dethrone the tournament favorites. Another rising young star, France's Victor Wembanyama, will look to make a loud impact in his first-ever Olympic Games on his country's home soil.
With countless NBA stars representing their nation's colors, who are the best among the group?
Before we dive into the rankings, these come with a disclaimer. This list is not solely based on individual talent — a player's role on their team was heavily considered.
Just because USA stars like Joel Embiid or Jayson Tatum are two of the best players in the NBA doesn't mean their national team role is suited to shine brighter than their other teammates.
With that being said, check out the 10 best players in the 2024 Paris Olympics and a few honorable mentions below.
Ranking the best NBA players in the Olympics
1. LeBron James, USA
Team USA's five-game exhibition showcase was enough of a sample size to establish James as the No. 1 option.
When games got tight, a floor full of NBA superstars knew to give the ball to a 39-year-old LeBron and get out of the way.
James has become a master at saving his energy for when it is needed most. We saw exactly that as he took over in the fourth quarter for comeback wins over South Sudan and Germany, finishing the game-winning bucket in both instances.
James already joked that he will not be in Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics. Expect him to make a GOAT-like statement with this potentially being his last dance.
MORE: Team USA makes great choice with LeBron James as Olympic flag-bearer
2. Nikola Jokic, Serbia
Jokic still holds a claim to the "Best Player in the World" title and he'll have a prime chance to reaffirm his position at the 2024 Olympics.
Just like his role with the Nuggets, Jokic is Serbia's offensive playmaking hub. Everything is run through him on that end and — even more than with Denver — his country needs him to be an overwhelming scorer. It will be fun to watch Jokic play bully ball against frontcourts with the frequent "How did he just do that?" passes.
Opening with a game against the United States gives him a bright spotlight to start the tournament with a bang.
MORE: Team USA has found the right formula for stopping Jokic
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada
Canada is widely considered to be the biggest threat to knock off Team USA for a gold medal, and Gilgeous-Alexander is a major reason for that.
The All-NBA guard will look to carry the momentum from his MVP-worthy season as he makes his Olympic debut for Canada. He is one of the most unguardable players on the planet and is my pick to win the tournament scoring title.
If Gilgeous-Alexander still has any doubters of his superstar potential, he'll silence them with a deep run for Canada at the Paris Games.
MORE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray headline Canada's loaded Olympic roster
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
Antetokounmpo's unstoppable dominance speaks for itself.
The two-time NBA MVP might not have the same level of talent or depth around him as his superstar peers, but Antetokounmpo single-handedly makes Greece a contender on the national stage.
It will be comical to watch other countries try and wall up against his bulldozer-like drives as Antetokounmpo tries to carry Greece to its first-ever men's basketball Olympic medal.
5. Anthony Davis, USA
Davis comes in as the second-highest-ranked Team USA player on this list, but he was the United States' best overall player during its exhibition showcase.
Davis completely controlled both ends of the floor in all five games. On offense, he was a constant lob threat, knocked down spot-up jumpers, and brought consistent energy on the glass. On defense, he and Bam Adebayo form an impenetrable frontcourt that deterred seemingly every drive or shot attempt in the paint.
FIBA rules (like swatting the ball off the rim, no defensive three seconds, and encouraged physicality) make frontcourt players much more valuable than they are in the NBA. Davis' performance will be crucial to Team USA's gold medal hopes.
6. Stephen Curry, USA
It feels disrespectful to have Curry outside the top five, but the United States has so many mouths to feed that not everyone can eat all the time.
However, there is no doubt that Curry will have multiple games where he gets hot, cannot miss from 3-point range, and turns a close contest into a blowout win for Team USA.
The greatest shooter of all time is surely ready to explode in his first-ever Olympics appearance.
7. Victor Wembanyama, France
Wembanyama looked like a superstar at the end of his rookie NBA season and now, we'll get an early glimpse of what he might look like in Year 2.
The French phenom will make his Olympic debut on his home turf. With all due respect to Rudy Gobert's defensive greatness, Wembanyama is already expected France's best and most important player.
At 20 years young, Wembanyama will be his country's leading scorer and No. 1 option. There is no doubt he will have a few internet-breaking highlights and performances that continue to leave us thinking, "The Wembanyama Era has arrived."
8. Kevin Durant, USA
Durant was the toughest player to place because he has yet to play for Team USA this summer due to a calf injury. He is expected to return at some point during the Group Stage — possibly as soon as the first game against Serbia.
Out of respect for USA Basketball's all-time leading scorer, he ranks seventh on this list without knowing if he'll be close to 100 percent when he takes the floor. Provided a clean bill of health, Durant could have been the No. 1 ranked player at the entire Olympics.
9. Dennis Schroder, Germany
Before you lose your mind over Schroder being in the top 10, take a deep breath.
Then, call back to last summer when the prolific playmaker earned Most Outstanding Player at the 2023 FIBA World Cup after he averaged 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game to lead Germany to a gold medal.
Schroder has consistently been one of those players who evolve into a different beast when donning his country's colors. He is the offensive engine for a talented Germany team that is looking for another podium finish at a major tournament.
10. Anthony Edwards, USA
Edwards rounds out the final spot in the top 10 as the go-to scorer on Team USA's second unit.
The electrifying star has already had some impactful performances during the United States' showcase tour, and he's bound to break loose on the Olympic stage.
Edwards has been ultra-aggressive off the bench on offense and has created some turnovers with energetic full-court defense to flash his two-way prowess. At 22, he's the youngest player on the roster and it won't be long before he's Team USA's featured player moving forward.
MORE: Jaylen Brown calls Anthony Edwards Team USA's No. 1 option
Honorable mentions
Franz Wagner, Germany: Schroder might be Germany's engine, but there's a good chance Wagner ends the tournament as his country's leading scorer.
Jamal Murray, Canada: If Canada is going to land its first Olympic medal since 1936, it will be because Murray steps into and thrives in its No. 2 scoring role behind Gilegeous-Alexander.
Jrue Holiday, USA: Holiday will end up being one of Team USA's most important players because of his impact on the defensive end.
Rudy Gobert, France: And speaking of defense, the same goes for Gobert, who will anchor the paint in a terrorizing frontcourt alongside Wembanyama.
Josh Giddey, Australia: Patty Mills will be passing the torch as Australia's go-to guy, and Giddey has been the one to step into that role during the pre-Olympics exhibition games.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia: Jokic is at his best when he is setting up his teammates. Bogdanovic is Serbia's best perimeter scorer and will be a major beneficiary of the Joker's otherworldy playmaking.
