In the summer of 2004, Team USA men's basketball hit a low point when it came away with only the bronze medal in the Olympics. That disappointing finish sparked a revamping of the program, which brought late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant into the fold.
To that point, Bryant had never represented the United States in the Olympics. But he did just that in 2008, and he was the main difference as the Stars and Stripes cruised to the gold medal that summer.
That Olympic squad, which was dubbed the "Redeem Team," also featured LeBron James and former Lakers players Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony. That team has been voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with Howard and Anthony.
A roster of @NBA All-Stars led by Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski restored USA Basketball dominance in Beijing. 8-0 and a gold-medal win over Spain. #25HoopClass inductee the 2008 US Men’s Olympic team. pic.twitter.com/QIVQ3CpBQ3
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) April 5, 2025
Team USA claimed its gold medal in August 2008 by defeating a Spain team led by Bryant's Lakers teammate Pau Gasol in the final round by a final score of 118-107. Bryant hit multiple big shots in a closely contested fourth quarter and finished the game with 20 points and six assists. James and Anthony added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Team USA's 2008 gold-medal-winning 'Redeem Team' has made Hall of Fame
