Durant, USA Basketball set for Olympic Games

RIO — Former University of Texas standout Kevin Durant and the United States Men's Basketball Olympic Team have arrived in Rio and are set to begin competition in the Olympic Games. The men's basketball competition will feature national teams from 12 countries competing Aug. 6-21.

Durant is the fourth player in Texas Basketball history to compete in the Olympics. He is the second former Longhorn to make multiple appearances at the Games, joining Albert Almanza who represented Mexico in 1960 and 1964. Durant will attempt to become the first two-time Olympic gold medalist in the sport of Men's Basketball in school history.

During Team USA's recent five-game exhibition schedule leading up to the Olympics, Durant led the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and ranked third in minutes (19.6 mpg) and tied for third in steals (6). He converted 24-43 (.558) field goals, including 13-28 (.464) from three-point range, and 17-18 (.944) free throws.

Team USA is joined in Preliminary Round Pool A by Australia, China, France, Serbia and Venezuela. Pool B features Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Lithuania, Nigeria and Spain. The U.S. team opens competition against China at 5 p.m. CT (7 p.m. in Rio) on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Americans then face Venezuela at 5 p.m. CT on Monday, Aug. 8 and Australia at 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Team USA faces Serbia at 5 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 12 before concluding pool play against France at 12:15 p.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 14.

The top four teams from each Olympic preliminary round group will advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The winners of those contests will play in the semifinals on Friday, Aug. 19. The gold and bronze medal games will be held on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Durant will make his second consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games, after leading the United States to a Gold Medal in London in 2012. During the eight games at the 2012 Olympics, Durant led Team USA in scoring (19.5 ppg) and ranked second in rebounding (5.8 rpg) while averaging 26.0 minutes per contest. He added five blocks (led the team), 13 steals (second on the team) and 21 assists against nine turnovers.

Durant's 30 points in the 2012 gold medal game tied for the third-highest single-game total in U.S. Olympic history. His 156 points during the Olympic tournament set a record for most points scored by an American player in an Olympic competition, topping the previous mark of 145 set by Spencer Haywood in 1968 (Mexico City). In addition, Durant set the U.S. record for most three-pointers made in an Olympic tournament with 34 (previous mark was 17, shared by Kobe Bryant in 2008 and Reggie Miller in 1996).

2016 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Competition Schedule

(all times Central; Rio time is 2 hours ahead of Central time)

Preliminary Round Pool A Schedule (all games played at Barra Carioca Arena 1)

Saturday, Aug. 6

USA vs. China, 5 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Monday, Aug. 8

USA vs. Venezuela, 5 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Wednesday, Aug. 10

USA vs. Australia, 5 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Friday, Aug. 12

USA vs. Serbia, 5 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Sunday, Aug. 14

USA vs. France, 12:15 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

Wednesday, Aug. 17

Quarterfinal Games, times to be determined (NBC Sports Network)

Friday, Aug. 19

Semifinal Games, times to be determined (NBC Sports Network)

Sunday, Aug. 21

Bronze Medal Game, 9:30 a.m. (TV to be determined)

Gold Medal Game, 1:45 p.m. (NBC)

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

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics