The United States Men’s Basketball Team has stood at the top of the basketball world since the sport’s inception. This article documents every loss Team USA has taken from 1990 to 2021.
An important tradition to note for USA Basketball (USAB) is how they choose their squads for the two major tournaments: the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup. USAB will select a development team to compete in the FIBA World Cup. Allow young talents to get used to international basketball and play in the USAB system.
Once the Olympics start, the players who suited up for the FIBA World Cup squad are expected to resign. As the places on the list will be filled by America’s top basketball stars. Legends like the “Dream Team” come to mind.
No matter which team takes the court for the red, white and blue, it takes an incredible will and love for the game of basketball for another nation to get a win from Team USA. Every game is fought hard, with nails and teeth, and serves as a benchmark for how the world has embraced the sport of basketball.
1. Nigeria (Exhibition game, 2021)
Team USA has lost to some big-name teams over the years, but they usually take care of business against the smaller guys. That’s what made their exhibition loss to Nigeria so memorable.
On July 10, 2021, they fell short 90 to 87 in a close contest that ended with the underdog coming out on top. Nigeria played excellent defense in the game, and all of their NBA players shot extremely well from deep.
2. Australia (Exhibition game, 2021)
Australia has long been a good basketball country, and they showed it on July 12, 2021 when they defeated Team USA 91-83.
The team, featuring NBA stars like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, kept the Americans (who had both Kevin Durant and Damien Lillard) scoreless for the final 4:34 of the game. They also overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half.
3. France (2020 Olympics)
Although Team USA would go on to best them in the finals, France achieved a first-round victory against the United States on June 26, 2021 during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Buoyed by a terrific 28-point performance from Evan Fournier, the team ended its 83-76 win with a 16-2 run. It was a great overall effort and the first US Olympic loss in 20 years.
4. Serbia (2019, FIBA World Cup)
Team USA’s first farewell at the FIBA World Cup. As well as the first time that Gregg Popovich, aka Coach Pop, was handed the reign of the head coaching job. Although the team would only take seventh place in the tournament, hopes are very high for the 2020 Olympics.
5. France (2019, FIBA World Cup)
The entirety of FIBA WC 2019 had been shaky for the Americans, failing to dominate as other nations narrowed the talent gap. A French team led by Rudy Golbert and Evan Fournier handed the US its first loss in almost 13 years. The match was tough as neither team was able to break a lead of more than 10 points.
6. Greece (2006, FIBA World Cup)
“America has dazzling ability; the Greeks are a dazzling team.”
This quote from the Associated Press best sums up the loss Team USA received from the Greeks. The amazing talents of a young LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwane Wade and Dwight Howard were not enough to defeat the Greek team WITHOUT NBA players. The US would eventually place third after defeating Argentina in the standings.
7. Argentina (2004, Olympic Games)
Led by (near-to-be) Olympic champions Andrés Nocioni and Manu Ginóbili, Argentina was more prepared for the 2004 Olympics than the Americans. Team USA’s most recent Olympic defeat leading up to the 2020 summer games. This loss reignited the fire for the absolute excellence of USA basketball as the United States would bring home the gold for 3 consecutive years.
8. Lithuania (2004, Olympics)
The 2004 Summer Olympics would mark the second time that Lithuania had surpassed the American giants. A win at the 1998 FIBA World Cup four years earlier would give the Lithuanian squad the confidence to take on the Americans on the world’s biggest stage. However, the Americans would deliver the final blow in the bronze medal game, leaving the Lithuanians empty-handed as the 2004 Summer Games came to a close.
9. Puerto Rico (2004, Olympic Games)
Before Puerto Rico’s victory, the last time the United States would suffer an Olympic loss was to the Soviet Union nearly 16 years earlier. This defeat would shock the world as it would come in the first round, on the first day of the Summer Games. This 19-point loss inspired the rest of the world to believe that the 2004 basketball gold medal was on the line.
10. Spain (2002, FIBA World Cup)
A rotating door of head coaches for Team USA could be the biggest culprit in America’s dismal tournament finishes in the post-dream team era. Starting the tournament with 2 losses, the Spanish smelled blood in the water and knew that the US’s home advantage would not be enough to get them ahead in this tournament.
11. Yugoslavia (2002, FIBA World Cup)
Determined to win their 5th FIBA World Cup, Yugoslavia would take the battle to the Americans for 4 consecutive quarters. By the fourth quarter, a lead of just 6 points would separate the two countries. A horn glitch for a weary US team eliminated their chance for overtime and a podium finish. Yugoslavia would go on to win the FIBA World Cup, beating the Argentines in an exciting overtime match.
12. Argentina (2002, FIBA World Cup)
A sneak preview of Team USA’s 2004 Olympic Qualifying. The tight and tough team from Argentina made waves with their upset over the American favorites. Ginobili and his compatriots ran out the door, scoring 34 points in the first half. Although the Argentines would only come second in this tournament, they would take home gold two years later during the Olympics.
13. Russia (1998, FIBA World Cup)
If the United States has an archenemy in international basketball, it is Russia. Even when the European superpower was known as the Soviet Union, the Russians would prove the greatest challenger to the Americans. Defeating the USA a total of 6 times in FIBA World Cup matches and twice during the Olympics. Delivering the first American Olympic defeat in 1972.
14. Lithuania (1998, FIBA World Cup)
- Lithuania 84 : 82 United States (Preliminary Round)
- Full game (not in English)
The first defeat of the “Dream Team” of the United States. With a US team full of “who the hell is that guy” kind of players, especially for fans in the modern era of basketball. Lithuania saw an opportunity to challenge the American team early in the tournament. While they may have only placed seventh in the tournament, the Americans’ Day 2 loss set the tone for the tournament and the next decade.
15. Yugoslavia (1990, FIBA World Cup)
- Yugoslavia 99: 91 United States (3rd place)
- Full game (not in English)
Yugoslavia would take first place during the 1990 FIBA World Cup after handing the United States their second loss in the new decade. The American squads of the 1990s can be considered the best that the US has produced. The 1990s were also an important benchmark in international basketball, showing glimpses of greatness and stardom in foreign teams.
16. Puerto Rico (1990, FIBA World Cup)
- Puerto Rico 81 : 79 United States
- Full game (not in English)
The 1990s are considered by many NBA fans to be the golden age of the sport. The Dream Team and more televisions in American homes took the sport into the stratosphere. The game of basketball is being promoted in countries around the world, increasing international talent. While this victory for Puerto Rico would be one of four losses the US would receive in the 1990s, it would prove the mortality of Americans and set the stage for the 2004 Olympics.
conclusion
During the 31-year span from 1990 to 2021, USA Basketball has been defeated just 16 times. A feat that every nation would highlight in their athletic history book. Since the USA is not only the best in the sport, but also the inventor of the game. A title and an honor that Team USA holds very highly.
No matter what tournament or what time of year, if Team USA is on the court, the talent that plays will represent the best in the world at the time they play. USA Basketball coaches and players understand the role they play in the sport.
Every time they compete they must play at their best. So whichever nation faces them on the hardtop, the game in question is absolutely the best that humanity has to offer. Then, when another nation beats the Americans, they can proudly claim that their players play with the best.
Is the rest of the world getting closer to the level of talent that the US plays at? Which country is closest to reaching the crown of the best basketball nation? Is the modern American basketball team better than the Dream Team? Tell us what you think in the comment box below.