Top 5 Team USA players with most total points in Olympic basketball history

Team USA superstar forward Kevin Durant made history during Tuesday's 122-87 2024 Paris Olympic quarterfinal victory over Brazil. He surpassed former women's basketball superstar center Lisa Leslie to become the U.S.'s all-time Olympic basketball leading scorer.

Durant achieved the milestone with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter of Tuesday's contest, scoring his 489th career point to surpass Leslie. The basket gave him six points for the game en route to finishing with 11 points off the bench.

After Durant's historic achievement, Leslie, whose record stood since her final Olympic run in 2008, congratulated him on X/Twitter. She also encouraged the one-time NBA MVP to bring home another gold medal this summer.

"Congratulations, [Kevin Durant]. I’m honored to have you break my Team USA Olympic record!!!" Leslie said. "Our dedication to our country is evident and etched in stone!! Now go get another gold medal, my friend! One Team, one goal, gold!"

Durant later paid tribute to Leslie on X/Twitter as well, expressing gratitude about becoming the Americans' all-time leading scorer. He also touched on his desire to win another gold medal.

"Records are meant to be broken. I’ll hold on to this until another great comes along and passes me up," Durant said. "Lisa Leslie, you are the gold standard in basketball. I appreciate your love and support throughout the years. Much love to you always. It’s all about the gold, baby. Let’s get it, fellas."

Durant and Co. next face Serbia in Thursday's semifinal matchup, a squad they blew out 110-84 in group play. Team USA needs just two more victories to win its fifth consecutive gold medal, which it is favored to do. Meanwhile, Durant has up to two more games to extend his scoring record.

Ahead of Thursday's contest, here is Team USA's men's and women's top five scoring list:

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Team USA's Top 5 all-time Olympic leading scorers

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#5. LeBron James

Team USA men's basketball superstar forward LeBron James (Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Ranking fifth on Team USA's all-time scoring list is one of Kevin Durant's current Olympic co-stars, LeBron James.

After scoring 12 points against Brazil on Tuesday, James sits at 328 career points through four Olympic appearances. He has won two gold medals and one bronze thus far, with his third gold in sight.

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#4. Carmelo Anthony

Former Team USA men's basketball superstar forward Carmelo Anthony (Image Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Team USA superstar forward Carmelo Anthony still has a slight edge over LeBron James, sitting fourth with 336 career points. However, he could be overtaken by James as soon as Thursday.

Anthony appeared in four Olympics, winning three gold medals and one bronze, with his last Olympic appearance coming in 2016.

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#3. Diana Taurasi

Team USA women's basketball veteran star guard Diana Taurasi (Image Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Team USA veteran star guard Diana Taurasi ranks third with 416 career points entering Wednesday's U.S. women's quarterfinal matchup against Nigeria.

While no longer a top contributor for the Americans, Taurasi is seeking her historic sixth gold medal in her sixth Olympic appearance.

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#2. Lisa Leslie

Former Team USA women's basketball superstar center Lisa Leslie (middle) (Image Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

After being surpassed by Kevin Durant on Tuesday, Lisa Leslie ranks second all-time with 488 career points.

Leslie won four gold medals over four Olympic appearances, most recently in 2008.

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#1. Kevin Durant

Team USA men's basketball superstar forward Kevin Durant (Image Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Following Tuesday's 11-point effort against Brazil, Durant sits at 494 career points through four Olympic appearances.

With two games to go, Durant appears primed to become the first U.S. player to cross the 500-point mark. Meanwhile, he is on the verge of becoming the first men's basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals.

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