LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, and Dennis Schroder are considered the main candidates to win the Olympics basketball MVP award.
The 2024 Paris Olympics basketball tournament reached its climax. After exciting semifinal games on Thursday, only two games are left, but some of the unanswered questions remain.
One of them – who is going to win the Olympics basketball MVP award. Before we look at the 2024 edition, let's check some history.
Olympics basketball MVP winners
The Olympics basketball MVP award is given by FIBA and the winners list isn't very long. So far, only two players have been named the Olympics basketball MVPs – Manu Ginobili in 2004 and Kevin Durant in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Top 5 candidates to win 2024 Paris Olympics basketball MVP
So, let's get straight to the point – who is going to win the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball MVP award this time? BasketNews presents the Top 5 candidates to win the award.
5. Dennis Schroder | Germany
Yes, Germany didn't make the final, and yes, the semifinal against France wasn't the best game for Schroder.
Nevertheless, Germany already achieved its historic heights this year by reaching the semifinal stage for the first time in the country's history.
And Dennis Schroder is still the face of this team even though Franz Wagner could be called the biggest star.
The 30-year-old guard averages 18.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, a team-high 7.8 assists, and a team-high 18.8 EFF per game in five Olympics basketball appearances.
Schroder's dagger 3-pointer in the quarterfinal against Greece put the game to bed as he finished the matchup with 13 points (5/12 FG, 3/7 3PT), 8 assists, 1 steal, and 14 EFF in 31 minutes of action.
4. Stephen Curry | Team USA
It might look like a surprising and reactionary candidate, but European basketball fans know that sometimes, one incredible performance in a crucial game is enough to win the MVP award.
The most recent example could be Kostas Sloukas, who won the EuroLeague Final Four MVP award thanks to his heroics in the final against Real Madrid.
And that's exactly what Curry did in the semifinal against Serbia. After struggling for an entire Olympics basketball tournament, Curry erupted when it mattered the most.
Curry finished the game against Serbia with 36 points (12/19 FG, 9/14 3PT, 3/3 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 38 EFF in 33 minutes of action.
Steph Curry put on a show vs. Serbia
Credit FIBA
Curry was 2 points away from breaking Carmelo Anthony's single-game scoring record for Team USA in the Olympics and two 3-pointers away for made 3s in a single game.
Most points in a single game by Team USA player
| No. | Player | Points | Opponent | Year |
| 1. | Carmelo Anthony | 37 | Nigeria | 2012 |
| 2. | Stephen Curry | 36 | Serbia | 2024 |
| 3-4. | Carmelo Anthony | 31 | Australia | 2016 |
| 3-4. | Stephon Marbury | 31 | Spain | 2004 |
"Steph, man... That was a godlike performance," Kevin Durant praised Curry. "That was tough because he felt like he was struggling throughout the whole tournament. And we always said each night it could be somebody different. And tonight, he showed up. God was with him tonight."
"He was with us tonight, a true Steph -- shot after shot, getting a steal at the end, finishing with the layup. He was everywhere. It was one of the greatest games I've ever seen him play," Durant added.
So, who knows? Another great performance in the final against France and we might have an unexpected winner here.
3. Victor Wembanyama | France
Despite being the 20-year-old, Wemby is running the show in an experienced France team. Wembanyama averages 13.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 20.0 EFF per game in 5 appearances in the Olympics basketball tournament. Every listed number is a team-high for France.
Wemby is also undoubtedly the most impactful player as well. Despite a rather poor offensive performance against Germany in the semifinal (11 points on 4/17 shooting), Wembanyama made a huge impact on defense, containing Germany's stars Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder.
If France stuns Team USA in the final, Wembanyama will take the Olympics basketball MVP award as a unanimous winner. That's a guarantee. However, it's also a very big if.
2. Nikola Jokic | Serbia
Jokic is leading the entire Olympics basketball tournament in rebounds (10.4 RPG), assists (8.2 APG), efficiency (30.0 EFF), double-doubles (4), and is tied for 1st place in steals (2.2 SPG with Wembanyama).
The Denver Nuggets star is tied for 5th-6th place in points per game with Bogdan Bogdanovic (18.8), but the Serbian duo are also the only players still in the tournament.
To put it short, Jokic is doing it all and completely dominates in the Paris Olympics basketball tournament.
In a 91-95 loss against Team USA, Jokic played 37 minutes, accumulating 17 points (7/17 FG, 0/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 22 EFF.
Nikola Jokic dominates in Paris Olympics
Credit FIBA
He was one assist away from a triple-double against Puerto Rico, finishing the game with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 9 assists.
In the quarterfinal against Australia, Jokic had the best performance of an entire Paris Olympics basketball tournament with 21 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists, and 38 EFF. Moreover, he completely took over the game on both ends of the floor during the overtime.
Jokic has been undoubtedly the best player of the tournament and was very close to beating the best Olympics basketball team. However, will a potential bronze medal be enough to claim the MVP award?
1. LeBron James | Team USA
LeBron has been doing basketball GOAT things in the Paris Olympics basketball tournament.
Most importantly, LeBron has been the best team's best player by a mile. James leads Team USA in scoring (14.2 PPG), rebounds (7.0 RPG), assists (8.2 APG), and efficiency (23.4 EFF).
The Los Angeles Lakers star brought his A-game in the semifinal against Serbia, recording only the 4th triple-double throughout an entire Olympics basketball history, finishing the game with 16 points (6/9 FG, 2/3 FT), 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 33 EFF.
But it wasn't new territory for James, who became the first player to register his 2nd triple-double in the Olympics basketball.
"I'm always trying to be aggressive and make plays for our team, trying to do a little bit of everything on the floor," James said about his performance. "My teammates believe in me, and I was able to come through for them."
If Team USA claims the Olympics basketball gold, it will be very difficult to take away the MVP award from James.
Players with triple-doubles in the Olympics
| Player | Team | Stats (pts-reb-ast) | Year |
| Nikola Jokic | Serbia | 19-12-11 | 2024 |
| LeBron James | USA | 16-12-10 | 2024 |
| Luka Doncic | Slovenia | 16-10-18 | 2020 |
| LeBron James | USA | 11-14-12 | 2012 |
| Alexander Belov | Soviet Union | 23-14-10 | 1976 |
Edvinas Jablonskis
Daily Editor
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