The Olympic Games feature both individual and team events. At the Summer Olympics, men’s basketball is one of many team events, but there are opportunities for outstanding individual players to gain recognition as well.
At the 2024 Paris Games, FIBA experts and media will vote to honor an MVP of the men’s basketball tournament. As the title suggests, the award goes to the most valuable player of the men’s basketball tournament.
The award for best basketball player at the Olympic Games is nothing new, but has only been given twice since its inception at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Who are the two winners of this exclusive award? And who will join them this year?
Here’s a look at the history of the Olympic Basketball MVP award and the organization the tournament’s most valuable player will join in 2024.
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Complete list of Olympic Games MVP winners in men’s basketball
There have been two winners of the MVP award in Olympic men’s basketball.
The first award went 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, whose efforts led the US team to gold in Tokyo.
In 2008, 2012 and 2016, the tournament MVP was not awarded.
| Year | winner |
| 2004 | Manu Ginobili, Argentina |
| 2008 | Not awarded |
| 2012 | Not awarded |
| 2016 | Not awarded |
| 2021 | Kevin Durant, USA |
| 2024 | To be announced |
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 semifinals and then defeated Italy in the finals to win gold.
In 2021, Durant averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 52.9 percent shooting in 27.5 minutes per game. His performances helped the United States defeat Spain, Australia and France in their quest for the gold medal.
