Penny Hardaway recalls 1996 USA Olympic Team’s mindset for 30th anniversary

Former NBA guard Penny Hardaway reflected back on playing for Team USA in the 1996 Olympic Games as the team will be enshrined at the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 amid its 30th anniversary of winning the gold medal. While many have compared the 1996 USA Basketball Team so some of the best squads to have competed in the Olympics, Hardaway revealed why he believes there’s only one team that tops the one he was a part of.

Hardaway shared how USA’s 1996 team’s young and talented roster came together for a common goal, per ESPN’s NBA Today.

“For me, it was about sacrifice,” Hardaway said. “You showed Charles Barkley, who averaged 28 points a game in the regular season in the NBA, averaging 12 points, and leading us in scoring. Think about that. All these Hall of Famers. All these tops scorers. David Robinson probably led the league in scoring that year, and Charles led us with 12 points per game. So, it was about sacrifice and domination with us.”

When asked what a documentary about the 1996 USA Basketball Team would be mostly about, Hardaway says that would most likely be the focal point of the Olympics in Atlanta.

“It’s also finally getting to Atlanta and being so locked in,” Hardaway added. “There was no playing around. We understood that we needed to win every game by 30 points. So, getting off that plane, and getting into Atlanta, and everybody’s seriousness. It wasn’t a time to mess around or play around. We understood the task at hand.”

As for trash-talking, Hall of Fame Gary Payton takes the cake.

“GP’s the best at it,” Hardaway replied. “That’s my dog right there. GP got added later. Don’t know why. He should have been on there from the very beginning. Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson had to declined to play, and we added Gary Payton, which really made it to where our defense was so stellar. The other team couldn’t get above 80 points because it started with me, him, and John Stockton.

“But, to have “The Glove” on the team, and have Scottie Pippen on the team — guys that are defensive-minded — and to have The Admiral [David Robinson], and those guys behind you, and Shaq at the rim, was cool.”

For Hardaway, the 1996 USA Olympic Team is the second-best USA Basketball squad, behind the 1992’s Dream Team, ever assembled.

“I do feel that way,” Hardaway said. “I’m not trying to disrespect D-Wade, LeBron, KD, Kobe, and those guys, I have to feel that way. I feel like our team was well-rounded. We had an opportunity to do something special. I do know the magnitude of having LeBron and D-Wade, and those guys. So, I do feel like we’re the second-best team behind the original Dream Team.”

"It's about sacrifice and domination with us."

Penny Hardaway on what it took for the 1996 USA men's Olympic team to win gold pic.twitter.com/VadbLEewzg

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 3, 2026

Penny Hardaway, whose career was rattled with injuries, including six surgeries to repair cartilage damage, and multiple meniscus tears, was a four-time All-Star who finished his 14-year NBA career in 2007-08. He’s currently the head coach of Memphis Tigers.

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