Curated playlist
Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Kevin DurantKevin Durant wore number 35 to honor his murdered youth coach. Charles Craig was 35 when he died.
- Pau GasolPau Gasol first wanted to be a doctor and cure AIDS. Magic Johnson's 1991 announcement changed the boy's plans.
- Manu GinóbiliManu Ginóbili was picked 57th in the NBA draft and still reached the Hall of Fame.
- Leandro BarbosaLeandro Barbosa won a Sixth Man of the Year Award without starting most nights.
- Tony ParkerTony Parker was nearly sent home from a Spurs camp after 10 minutes. A highlight tape won him a second chance.
- Nikola JokićNikola Jokić's 2014 NBA draft pick appeared on a news ticker under a Taco Bell ad. He went 41st overall.
- Klay ThompsonKlay Thompson scored 37 points in one quarter against the Kings in 2015, an NBA record.
- Kyrie IrvingKyrie Irving was born in Australia to two American parents. His father had followed basketball there.
- Yi JianlianYi Jianlian's own agent warned the Bucks not to draft him. Milwaukee took him sixth overall in 2007 anyway.
- Andrew BogutAndrew Bogut was cut from a junior state team at fifteen. He became the first Australian picked first in the NBA draft.
- Rudy GobertRudy Gobert earned his nickname, the Stifle Tower, before playing an NBA minute.