6 Players to have won an NBA title and Olympic Gold in the same year

#4 Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Kyrie Irving captured his first NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same year. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA title in franchise history alongside LeBron James.

They defeated the historically great 73-9 Golden State Warriors in 7 games and became the first and only team in franchise history to win a Finals series after being down 3-1.

He averaged 27.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game in the Finals and earned recognition for dropping 41 points in a must-win Game 5 on the road.

He then joined Team USA in their run for a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

June 13 will be remembered as the start of the most epic Finals comeback 👏Down 3-1 in 2016, Kyrie and Bron WENT OFF for 41 points each pic.twitter.com/pBWWqB7mk3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2019

#5 Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks win the 2021 NBA title [Source: Sideline Sources]

Khris Middleton is the latest to join the list of players who have won an NBA title and Olympic gold medal in the same year. He led the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns and won the title in 6 games.

He was the second-best player on the team and was famous for making clutch late-game shots in the playoffs. Middleton averaged 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in the Finals.

He then joined Team USA in Tokyo just a few days after winning the NBA title and instantly contributed towards capturing the gold medal.

NBA Champion ➡️ winning the gold at #Tokyo2020. What a last few weeks it’s been for #GLeagueAlum @Khris22m! #Basketball pic.twitter.com/jz8CxYCO8V

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) August 7, 2021

#6 Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Jrue Holiday was a major factor in both, the NBA championship run and the Olympic gold medal finish. His defense and playmaking helped elevate the Milwaukee Bucks after they were down 0-2 in the 2021 NBA Finals.

Holiday averaged 16.7 points, 9.3 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in the Finals. His famous steal from Devin Booker in the final seconds of Game 5 and subsequent alley-oop to Giannis Antetokounmpo is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NBA Finals history.

In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jrue Holiday made an unbelievable defensive play to seal the Bucks' win.Devin Booker: “I turned and he was right there."On Jrue Holiday's big moment at @TheAthletic (50% off offer ends today):https://t.co/4zpqF63J7H

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) August 9, 2021

Holiday then accompanied his teammate Khris Middleton to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Games. His defense was much-needed for Team USA and his contributions to the team were obvious. He scored 11 points against France in the gold medal clincher.