The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Durant leads Team USA to Gold Medal
08.21.2016 | Men's Basketball
Former Longhorn ties Olympic career high with 30 points in 96-66 victory against Serbia to become first two-time gold medalist in Texas Men’s Basketball program history.
USA Basketball official web site
Olympic Games cumulative statistics
RIO — Former University of Texas standout Kevin Durant tied his Olympic career high with 30 points to lead Team USA to a 96-66 win against Serbia (4-4) in the gold medal game at the 2016 Olympics on Sunday afternoon. Durant, who had 24 of his 30 points in the decisive first half which saw the Americans build a 52-29 lead, converted 10-of-19 field goals, including 5-of-11 from three-point range, and 5-of-6 free throws. He also added 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in a team-high 30 minutes.
This marks the third straight Olympic gold medal for Team USA. The USA now has a 25-game Olympic win streak and a 53-game winning streak in major competition, including Olympics, FIBA World Cup and FIBA Americas Championship games.
Durant reached double figures in scoring in all eight games at the Rio Olympics and in all 16 career games played in Olympic competition. During the eight contests in Rio, Durant led Team USA in scoring (19.4 ppg) and minutes (28.6 mpg) and ranked second in steals (8), third in assists (28) and fourth in rebounding (5.0 rpg). He converted 52-of-90 (.578) field goals, including 25-of-43 (.581) from three-point range, and 26-of-32 (.813) free throws.
Durant is the first player in Texas Basketball history to capture a pair of gold medals, as he also led Team USA to the gold at the 2012 London Games. He is the third Longhorn men's basketball player to earn a gold medal, joining Gilbert "Gib" Ford (USA, 1956) and Jay Arnette (USA, 1960). Durant is the fourth player in UT Men's Basketball history to compete in the Olympics, as Albert Almanza also represented Mexico in 1960 and 1964.
2016 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Results
Saturday, Aug. 6
USA 119, China 62
Monday, Aug. 8
USA 113, Venezuela 69
Wednesday, Aug. 10
USA 98, Australia 88
Friday, Aug. 12
USA 94, Serbia 91
Sunday, Aug. 14
USA 100, France 97
Wednesday, Aug. 17 (Quarterfinals)
USA 105, Argentina 78
Friday, Aug. 19 (Semifinals)
USA 82, Spain 76
Sunday, Aug. 21 (Gold Medal Game)
USA 96, Serbia 66
Texas Basketball Players who have Participated in the Olympic Games
|
Year (Site) |
Player |
Country |
Team Result |
|
1956 (Melbourne) |
Gib Ford |
United States |
Gold Medal |
|
1960 (Rome) |
Jay Arnette |
United States |
Gold Medal |
|
1960 (Rome) |
Albert Almanza |
Mexico |
12th Place |
|
1964 (Tokyo) |
Albert Almanza |
Mexico |
12th Place |
|
2012 (London) |
Kevin Durant |
United States |
Gold Medal |
|
2016 (Rio) |
Kevin Durant |
United States |
Gold Medal |
