NEW YORK (USA) - This will come as no surprise for anyone that follows international basketball. The majority of the players that have raked in the most dough in NBA history have also put on the national team jersey.
Of the 10 players reported by Sports Illustrated to be the biggest earners in league history, nine have suited up for USA.
Player | Country | Career Earnings | Last FIBA Event |
|---|---|---|---|
1 - Stephen Curry | USA | $649 M | 2024 Olympics |
2 - Kevin Durant | USA | $591 M | 2024 Olympics |
3 - LeBron James | USA | $589 M | 2024 Olympics |
4 - Kawhi Leonard | USA | $541 M | - |
5 - Devin Booker | USA | $520 M | 2024 Olympics |
6 - Paul George | USA | $517 M | 2016 Olympics |
7 - Donovan Mitchell | USA | $514 M | 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup |
8 - Joel Embiid | USA | $509 M | 2024 Olympics |
9 - James Harden | USA | $508 M | 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup |
10 - Anthony Davis | USA | $485 M | 2024 Olympics |
1 - Stephen Curry
Curry represented the country as far back as 2007 when he played at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Serbia. For the senior team, he captured titles at the World Cups in 2010 and 2014, yet it wasn't until 2024 that he made his Olympic bow.
Making up for lost time, Curry had the best two-game run in USA history. Against Serbia in the last four, Curry drilled 9 of 14 shots from 3-point range and finished with 36 points as USA won, 95-91. Then against hosts France in the Final, Curry drilled 8 of 12 from deep and scored 24 points in a 98-87 win over France.
2 - Kevin Durant
KD's FIBA resume is as glittering as they come.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 winner and MVP
Olympic Gold Medalist in 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024
All-time leading scorer for USA men at the Olympics
All-time leading scorer for USA
Just once has Durant tasted defeat in the USA jersey, at the Summer Games in Japan on opening day against France, yet he responded by leading the Americans to an unbeaten record the rest of the way.
3 - LeBron James
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the King, with three defeats and a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and the 101-95 defeat to Greece in the Semi-Finals at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006. Yet in the competitions to follow, James and USA were unbeatable.
The superstar helped the Americans win the FIBA AmeriCup 2007 and then spearheaded the team's runs to gold medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2024 Olympics. Maybe most amazing about James' performances was the last, when he consistently shone for the USA in Paris and claimed the tournament's MVP award.
4 - Kawhi Leonard
Has not played for USA Basketball in a FIBA competition.
5 - Devin Booker
Representing his country was so important for Booker that he joined USA right before the start of the 2021 Olympics after playing for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
Booker was also a vital member of that gold medal winning team, and the one that narrowly avoided defeat to Serbia and then edged France in 2024.
Booker averaged 9.3 points per game at the 2021 Games, and 11.7 in 2024.
6 - Paul George
PG-13 only appeared in one event with the USA, and it was a big one in 2016. George played at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and reached the top of the podium after averaging 11.3 points per game.
George had been set to play for USA two years before at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain but got hurt just a few weeks before the start of the tournament.
7 - Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell had some dazzling moments for USA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, where he averaged 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
He had his best performance against France in the Quarter-Finals, pouring in 29 points, but Les Bleus outscored USA 26-13 in the fourth quarter and won, 89-79.
8 - Joel Embiid
In his only tournament with USA, Embiid captured gold. It was at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and Embiid was immense in one of the most important wins, the 95-91 come-from-behind triumph over Serbia in the Semi-Finals.
He logged 27 minutes against Nikola Jokic, made 8 of 11 shots from the floor and finished with 19 points.
9 - James Harden
After making his debut at the 2012 Olympics and helping USA win the gold medal, Harden showed up at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and excelled. Harden led the Americans in scoring at 14.2 points per game, and steals at 2.1 per contest.
The Beard erupted for 23 points in the Final as USA marched to the title in Spain.
10 - Anthony Davis
Just months after being selected by New Orleans as the first pick in the NBA Draft, Davis joined USA in London 2012 and helped the team win the gold medal.
He had a starring role for the team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain, averaging 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. His most impactful game was against Türkiye, when he had 19 points despite facing the towering presence of Omer Asik.
The most satisfying appearance for USA probably came a decade later, at the Olympics in Paris. Davis averaged 8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Americans and helped his country claim a gold medal at a fifth consecutive Olympics.
FIBA