The 2016 Rio Olympic basketball tournament concluded on Sunday, with USA winning its third-straight gold medal. It’s time for the Hoops Habit All-Rio Awards for individual performances throughout the tournament.
The 2016 Rio Olympic basketball tournament came to an end on Sunday, as the U.S. came away with its third straight gold medal, defeating Serbia 96-66. Aside from the continued domination of Team USA, there were quite a few surprises throughout the tournament.
Australia started out the tournament red-hot, going 5-1, but lost to Spain in the bronze medal game, leaving the Boomers empty-handed and still in search of their first medal in men’s basketball.
Different players stepped up in big moments for each of the 12 countries in the field and we’d like to recognize some of these players with individual awards for their performances in the tournament.
There is also a first and second All-Rio team and an All-Rookie team for players who made their first Olympic appearance.
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MVP: Kevin Durant, U.S.
- Averaged 19.4 points per game (fifth in the Olympics), shot 58 percent from field (fourth), made 25 three-pointers (first), shot 58 percent from three-point range (first), scored 30 points in gold medal win.
Defensive Player of the Tournament: DeAndre Jordan, U.S.
- Averaged 6.1 rebounds (10th) playing 17 minutes per game, blocked four shots in semifinal win over Spain, (grabbing U.S. Olympic-record 16 rebounds), blocked three shots in gold medal win over Serbia. In his three starts, Jordan averaged 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots. Won gold medal.
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Sixth Man of the Tournament: Mindaugas Kuzminkas, Lithuania
- Averaged 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists off the bench for Lithuania. Scored 23 off the bench in win over Argentina, 17 in loss to Spain.
Rookie of the Tournament: Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia
- Averaged 14.8 points per game (11th), shot 61 percent from field (1st), won silver medal.
Coach of the Tournament: Sasha Djordjevic, Serbia
- Led underdog Serbia to silver medal. Coached team with zero Olympic experience to wins over Croatia and Australia in quarterfinals and semifinals. Lost by one point to France, three points in preliminary round meeting against USA.
Non-American MVP: Bojan Bogdanovic, Croatia
- Averaged 25.3 points per game (1st), made 18 three-pointers (tied for third), scored 28 or more in three of seven games, led underdog Croatia to top seed in Group B,
First-Team All-Rio
Point Guard: Patrick Mills, Australia; averaged 21.3 points per game (2nd) made 21 three-pointers (2nd), led Australia to 5-3 tournament, fourth-place finish.
Shooting Guard: Bojan Bogdanovic, Croatia
Small Forward: Kevin Durant, U.S.
Pelican Debrief
Power Forward: Yi Jianlian, China; averaged 20.4 points per game (3rd), 6.6 rebounds per game (7th), scored 18 or more in all five games.
Center: Pau Gasol, Spain; averaged 19.5 points per game (4th), 8.8 rebounds (1st), shot 55 percent from field (5th), blocked 1.9 shots per game (2nd), won Bronze Medal.
Second-Team All-Rio
Point Guard: Mantas Kalnietis, Lithuania; averaged 18,0 points per game (6th), shot 61 percent from field (2nd), 7.5 assists (1st).
Shooting Guard: Facundo Campazzo, Argentina; 15.8 points per game (7th), 5.8 assists (4th), 2.8 steals (1st), scored 33 points against Brazil.
Small Forward: Andres Nocioni, Argentina; averaged 15.0 points per game (8th), 6.0 rebounds (11th), scored 37 points against Brazil.
Power Forward: Luis Scola, Argentina; averaged 14.8 points (10th) , 8.3 rebounds (3rd), posted two double-doubles, shot 52 percent from field.
Center: Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia
All-Rookie Team
Point Guard: Kyrie Irving, U.S.; averaged 11.4 points, 4.9 assists (6th), won gold medal.
Shooting Guard: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia; averaged 12.3 points per game, scored 18 or more in three games, won silver medal.
Small Forward: Paul George, U.S.; averaged 11.3 points per game off bench, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game (5th).
Power Forward: Dario Saric, Croatia; averaged 11.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds (6th), led Croatia to top seed in Group B.
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Center: Miroslav Raduljica, Serbia