The Olympic Games consist of both individual and team competitions. During the Summer Olympics, men's basketball is one of the many team competitions, but there are still ways for the standout individuals to earn recognition.
At the 2024 games in Paris, FIBA experts and the media will vote to honor an MVP of the men's basketball tournament. As the title suggests, the award will go to the most valuable player of the men's basketball tournament.
The Olympic basketball MVP award is not new but it has only been given out three times since being introduced at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Who has won the exclusive award?
Here is more on the history of the Olympic basketball MVP award and the company that 2024 MVP LeBron James has joined.
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Full list of Olympics men's basketball MVP winners
There have been three winners of the Olympic men's basketball MVP award.
The award was first given to Manu Ginobili, who led Argentina to Olympic gold at the 2004 games in Athens. 17 years later, the award was given to Kevin Durant for his efforts in leading Team USA to gold in Tokyo. In 2024, James earned the honors after leading USA to its fifth consecutive gold.
Tournament MVP was not awarded in 2008, 2012 or 2016.
| Year | Winner |
| 2004 | Manu Ginobili, Argentina |
| 2008 | Not awarded |
| 2012 | Not awarded |
| 2016 | Not awarded |
| 2021 | Kevin Durant, USA |
| 2024 | LeBron James, USA |
In 2004, Ginobili led Argentina with averages of 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.9 minutes per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field. Argentina defeated the United States in the semifinal, then defeated Italy in the final to capture gold.
In 2021, Durant posted 20.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 52.9 percent shooting in 27.5 minutes per game. His efforts helped the United States defeat Spain, Australia and France in its gold medal run.
LeBron James 2024 Olympics stats
James earned 2024 MVP honors with averages of 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. In the semifinals, James turned in the fourth triple-double in Olympics history and again stepped up with 14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in the gold medal game.
- 24.5 minutes per game
- 14.2 points per game
- 6.8 rebounds per game
- 8.5 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 4.0 turnovers per game
- 66.0 percent field goal shooting
- 30.8 percent 3-point shooting
- 73.3 percent free throw shooting
