2024 Paris Olympics Basketball Updated MVP Rankings: Top 5 potential candidates after group stage games
After the qualifying rounds and group stages, only eight teams remain in contention for the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball gold medal. The United States remains the favorite but Germany, Greece, France, Canada, Serbia, Australia and Brazil all have international stars that could surprise a people.
Canada, Germany and the USA are the three remaining undefeated teams and all of them have talented players that could take home the coveted MVP award. Serbia's Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, has the potential to take over any game while Australia's rising star Josh Giddey has been phenomenal in the group stages. Then there's Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and an NBA champion.
As we enter the quarterfinal stage, let's take a look at the top five potential candidates for the MVP award.
Top 5 potential candidates for the Olympics Basketball MVP after the Group stage
#5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
Giannis remains a long shot due to his team's underwhelming record at the Olympic basketball event. But from an individual standpoint, few players have produced the way the Milwaukee Bucks star has.
Giannis ranks first in points with an average of 27 points per game. He also has the highest field goal percentage (68.9) among all players who are averaging at least 10 points. He ranks eighth in rebounds (7.7) and 17th in assists (3.7) per game.
If Greece can upset a talented Germany, they will avoid the United States and Serbia in the semifinal round. That could provide Giannis with a clear path to the finals if he can maintain his remarkable form.
#4. Nikola Jokic, Serbia
A case could be made for Nikola Jokic to be higher on this list but the 6'11 center has failed to match the high-level performances that saw him voted the NBA MVP in 2024.
Jokic's numbers were solid in his opening game against the United States where he finished with 20 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Serbia's 107-66 demolition of Puerto Rico was impressive but the center was responsible for just 13 percent of his team's points (14 points). He did record a whopping 15 rebounds and nine assists in that game, falling just short of a triple-double.
Jokic had another strong outing versus South Sudan where he racked up 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists over just 27 minutes.
#3. Kevin Durant, USA
Kevin Durant came out firing at the 2024 Olympics basketball event despite missing all of the USA's warmup games. The sharpshooting forward recorded a game-high 23 points and made all of his first eight shots in the opening game versus Serbia.
Kerr has used Durant sparingly since his impressive performance versus Serbia but expect the Phoenix Suns to get plenty of minutes as the tournament progresses.
Durant was awarded the FIBA MVP honors at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He is the all-time leading scorer for Team USA at the tournament and is looking to become the first US basketball player to win four gold medals. What a fitting moment it would be if he could lock up a second consecutive MVP award at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
#2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada
Team Canada has a plethora of talent on their roster but it is safe to say that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has firmly established himself as Canada's best player at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, 1.7 steals per game and is shooting nearly 59 percent from the field.
In a challenging opening game against Greece, the guard showed poise and maturity to keep his team in the game. He finished with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal to edge out a vital 86-79 victory.
Canada has been outstanding in the group stages and if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to perform the way he has, this team has a realistic shot at the gold medal.
#1. LeBron James, USA
LeBron James has been consistent and reliable when called on by his country. He has also shown glimpses of brilliance in in the tournament, especially in the opening game versus Serbia where he racked up 21 points and nine assists on 9-13 shooting.
Similar to Durant, Kerr has been conservative with James' minutes in the previous two games, but we can expect to see more of the LA Lakers superstar once the knockout stage begins.
At 39 years old, it is fair to assume that this will be James' last Olympic basketball tournament. James will be looking to go out in style and what better way to do that than to claim an Olympics MVP to place alongside his long list of trophies?