Team USA secured the gold medal in men’s Olympic basketball. They overcame France in a hard-fought 98-87 victory on Saturday. While elite talents such as Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Stephen Curry were undoubtedly stars of the tournament, some former NBA players enjoyed strong showings, potentially earning themselves another shot in the league.
Here are three former NBA talents to impress during the Olympics.
1. Guerschon Yabusele – France
Guerschon Yabusele was last seen in the NBA in 2019, where he played for the Boston Celtics. Since leaving the US, he has built a career in Spain, playing for European powerhouse Real Madrid. Yabusele was one of the most impactful players of the entire tournament, helping France reach the finals.
In six games, Yabusele averaged 14 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 52% from the field and 29% from three-point range. His defense was also impressive, using his size and lateral quickness to provide stability across the low helpline. After his strong showing, it wouldn’t be a shock if he landed a deal with an NBA team ahead of the new season.
2. Carlik Jones – South Sudan
South Sudan played with intensity, athleticism and pride during its short tenure in Paris. Former NBA guard Carlik Jones, who last played for the Chicago Bulls in 2023, was a standout performer during the group stages.
Jones averaged 18 points, five rebounds and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 27% from deep over a three-game span. Unfortunately for Jones, that production may be based on too small a sample size for an NBA team to come knocking. He should, however, expect some scouts in the stands over the next 12 months.
3. Bruno Caboclo – Brazil
Bruno Caboclo spent seven years in the NBA before bouncing out of the league in 2021. He has played for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, failing to find a home in any of those stops. However, his performances for Brazil may entice some front offices to take another look at the talented forward.
Caboclo represented Brazil four times while in Paris, averaging 17.3 points and seven rebounds per outing. He shot 59% from the field and 55% from three-point range, proving that he could fit with an NBA team as a potential three-and-D wing.
