Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Carmelo Anthony Reveals Team USA's Antics at the 2016 Olympics

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 12:31 AM ET

When people think about the Olympics, they usually imagine intense preparation, pressure-packed performances, and moments that define careers. But once the medals are won and the spotlight starts to fade, even the biggest stars find ways to unwind like everyone else. That’s especially true for the 2016 United States men's national basketball team, a stacked group filled with NBA talent that included names like Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins.

Years later, Carmelo Anthony is pulling back the curtain on what life was really like behind the scenes during that golden run offering a glimpse into the lighter, less polished moments that rarely make it into highlight reels but often end up defining the experience for the athletes themselves.

Carmelo Anthony before a men's basketball quarterfinal game between the United States and Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins in a recent episode of the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast shared their stories of what it was like in the Olympic village with the Olympics going on now.

Cousins led the charge saying, “It was like we were on the block. Cards every night, We was getting lit. Every single night bro. We drank every single day.”

Carmelo Anthony and Boogie says the 2016 USA team was getting f*cked up everyday during the Olympics

Boogie: We was getting lit. Every single night bro. We drank every single day

Melo: We was responsibly drinking

Boogie: F*CK NO! I’ve never drank that much in my life

(Via… https://t.co/y1uMZM1ZSS pic.twitter.com/sx5bbOkWJR
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 16, 2026

When Melo suggested “We was responsibly drinking”. Cousins immediately shut that notion saying, “(Expletive no) I have never drank that much in my life”

At the Rio Olympics, the United States men's national basketball team faced a tough path through teams like Australia men's national basketball team, France men's national basketball team, and Spain men's national basketball team before reaching the gold-medal game.

In the final, they took on Serbia men's national basketball team and pulled away with a comfortable win, securing another Olympic gold and finishing the tournament exactly as expected on top. This was followed up with another gold at the following Olympics in 2021 and another one in 2024 the most recent Olympic games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: