First individuals to win NBA and Olympic titles in same year

The first individuals to win an NBA championship and an Olympic basketball gold medal in the same season are Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Jordan and Pippen accomplished the feat while playing for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the U.S. Olympic Team in 1992. Four basketball players have won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen achieved the feat for the Chicago Bulls (all USA) and their national team in 1992, Manu Ginobili (Argentina) fired the San Antonio Spurs (USA) and his national team to glory in 2004, and the Miami Heat's LeBron James (both USA) led his team to the NBA title and the USA to Olympic gold in 2012.