A Complete Guide to the 2021 Olympics Basketball Results and Medal Winners

Let me tell you, the 2021 Olympics basketball tournament was something special. I've been following international basketball for over a decade now, and there's something about the Olympic stage that brings out both the best in players and the most dramatic storylines. When I look back at those Tokyo games, what stands out isn't just the medal winners—though we'll definitely get to those—but the raw human moments that defined the competition. Like that quote from Khobuntin that's been living in my head ever since I first read it: "Sobrang salamat kasi minsan lang magtuluy-tuloy yung laro. Blessing yun. Hangga't kayang maglaro, maglalaro pa rin ako. Yun ang mindset ko lang siguro." Translated from Filipino, it roughly means he's incredibly grateful whenever games can proceed uninterrupted, considering it a blessing, and he'll keep playing as long as he's able. That mindset, from a player averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in the finals, captures the essence of what made these Olympics so memorable amid a pandemic—the sheer gratitude for being able to compete at all.

The men's tournament delivered exactly what basketball fans crave—high stakes, superstar performances, and that classic USA redemption arc. Let's be honest, after their shaky exhibition games where they lost to Nigeria and Australia, many people (myself included) were questioning if Team USA could pull it off. They started group play with a loss to France, which only amplified the doubts. But here's what I love about experienced teams—they find a way to adjust. Coach Popovich made some crucial lineup changes, and by the knockout stage, they looked like a completely different unit. Kevin Durant was, unsurprisingly, phenomenal, but what impressed me most was Jrue Holiday's two-way impact. His defense was absolutely game-changing. The gold medal game against France was a nail-biter, ending 87-82. France, with Rudy Gobert dominating the paint and Evan Fournier scoring 28 points in the final, pushed them to the limit. But Team USA's firepower, with Durant dropping 29 points, ultimately secured their fourth consecutive gold. The final podium had USA with gold, France with silver—a huge achievement for French basketball—and Australia finally breaking through for bronze against Slovenia, led by the incredible Luka Dončić who averaged something like 23.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists throughout the tournament, just shy of a triple-double average.

Now, the women's tournament was, in my professional opinion, even more compelling from a narrative perspective. Team USA's women continued their absolute dynasty, winning their seventh consecutive gold medal. That's not just dominance—that's historical. The final against Japan was a masterclass, ending 90-75. Brittney Griner was unstoppable in the paint, scoring 30 points on 14-of-18 shooting, while A'ja Wilson provided that consistent defensive anchor. But let's talk about Japan's silver medal—what a story. Their pace, their three-point shooting, their heart. They played with a joy that was infectious. The bronze went to France, who edged out Serbia 91-76 behind Marine Johannès' electric 23-point performance. Watching these games, I kept thinking about that Khobuntin quote again—the idea of playing as long as you can, treating each game as a blessing. These athletes had trained for five years, faced a postponement, and competed in near-empty arenas. Their mental resilience was as impressive as their physical talent.

Digging deeper into the stats and the human element, the 2021 Olympics really highlighted the globalization of basketball. We had Slovenia, in their first-ever Olympic basketball appearance, led by Dončić, nearly making the medal rounds. We had Patty Mills going off for 42 points for Australia in their bronze-medal win. And we had those moments from role players like Khobuntin, whose contributions, while maybe not headline-grabbing, were vital to their teams' fabric. His averages of 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in the finals might seem modest, but in the context of team basketball, that's winning contribution. It's the dirty work, the rebounds, the defensive stops—the stuff that doesn't always show up in the highlight reels but wins you games. I've always had a soft spot for those players, the glue guys who understand their role and excel within it.

Reflecting on the entire tournament, the 2021 Olympics basketball event was a testament to perseverance. The delayed games, the health protocols, the lack of roaring crowds—it was a unique challenge. Yet, the basketball itself was spectacular. The USA men reclaimed their throne, the USA women continued their reign, and we witnessed the emergence of new powers and stars. For me, the biggest takeaway is that mindset Khobuntin voiced. In an era where sports can feel overly commercialized, his words brought it back to the basics: gratitude for the game, and the simple desire to play for as long as possible. That's the spirit that defined these Olympics. The final medal tally—USA gold in both, France silver in men's and bronze in women's, Australia bronze in men's, Japan silver in women's—tells one story. But the human stories, the quotes, the behind-the-scenes struggles, they tell the richer, more complete one. It's why I keep coming back to Olympic basketball every four years—you never know what kind of magic you're going to get.