Men’s basketball alumnus Jrue Holiday makes history with Olympic gold in Paris
Former UCLA men’s basketball guard Jrue Holiday poses for a picture with Team USA after clinching his second-straight Olympic gold. Holiday is now the second basketball player to win an NBA title and Olympic gold in the same year – twice. (Courtesy of FIBA.basketball)
Sport
| United States | 95 |
| Serbia | 91 |
| United States | 98 |
| France | 87 |
By Ira Gorawara
Aug. 12, 2024 1:57 a.m.
Jrue Holiday has a new parallel.
It’s basketball legend Scottie Pippen, a kindred spirit in defensive ferocity and dual-threat prowess.
And they are now the only two who snagged both Olympic gold and an NBA title in the same year – twice.
The former UCLA men’s basketball guard first managed the feat after adorning his inaugural NBA ring with the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by Olympic grandeur in Tokyo three years ago. He struck double when the United States men’s basketball national team outlasted France 98-87 in the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match Saturday – less than two months removed from the Boston Celtics’ NBA finals win.
The duel between France and the U.S. – the most-viewed Olympic final since 1996 – crowned the Americans with their fifth-straight gold.
Widely touted favorites in the tournament, the U.S. encountered stiff resistance in the semifinals. The Serbians, powered by NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and guard Bogdan Bogdanović, matched Americans blow for blow until the fourth quarter, when the latter floored the gas and unleashed a 32-15 blitz to lock a finals berth.
Holiday delivered 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in a group phase showdown against Serbia but fell short of replication in the rematch, slapping three points and two rebounds on the stats sheet.
Launching a desperate rally, guard Stephen Curry pulled Team USA out of deep waters after trailing 76-63 through three frames. The NBA sniper torched the court, pouring in 36 points – including nine triples – the second-highest single-game tally in U.S. Olympic men’s basketball history.
And the final act unfolded with a reminiscent plot.
True to form, Curry unleashed a torrent of eight threes – four in crunch time – to cement the U.S.’ fifth consecutive gold.
Coming off the bench, Holiday knocked down six points off 2-for-5 shooting from the field. Yet the stats only scratch the surface of his contribution.
Holiday embraced his role as the team’s X factor, skillfully maneuvering through double teams and holding his ground against France’s bigs in the paint, including the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year in Victor Wembanyama.
So after bagging two nail-biting affairs, the U.S. rejoiced in its Olympic gold, adding another to the preexisting 16.
And Holiday did too – but with an added touch of flair.
