Basketball player Durant becomes USA's top scorer at Olympics
IANS
Aug 1, 2021 03:40
0
Tokyo: Two-time NBA champion and two-time Olympics gold medallist Kevin Durant has now scored the most points for the United States in the Olympics.
Durant, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, scored 23 points in the Team USA's 119-84 win against the Czech Republic on Saturday, taking his points tally to 354.
He overtook Carmelo Anthony (336 points). LeBron James (273) is third and is followed by David Robinson (270) and Michael Jordan (256) in the top five on the all-time US scorers list.
The USA are the three-time defending champions in Olympics basketball and favourites to win the title even though the team comprising all NBA players suffered a sensational defeat against France in the group stage.
The victory against the Czech Republic has sealed their place in the quarterfinals.
Durant, who made his Olympics debut nine years ago at 2012 London, already has two gold medal and will be looking to join Anthony at three gold medals, the most by any US basketball player.
The US finished second in the group, behind undefeated France. The knockout phase begins on August 3.
Durant came in for high praise from his teammates for his record-breaking accomplishment.
"It's amazing to see, amazing to watch," said Jayson Tatum, who actually had a team-leading 27 points against the Czechs. "It's a huge accomplishment when you think about all the great players, the Hall of Fame players that have put this uniform on."
Devin Booker, another Team USA Olympic rookie, told the official website: "It's greatness; that's legendary... I have the highest level of respect for Kev (Durant) and what he's done for basketball."
