Single game elimination games have begun in Paris for the 2024 summer games on the basketball court, both for the men and women. The Northwest Division is represented very well across the field of teams competing for gold this year. The Olympics provide many players the opportunity for these players to measure their skills against some of the best competition in the entire world, and the players have spoken well about the matchups so far, which should only improve as the tournament continues. There are nine players from the Northwest Division on teams in the fold in this year’s Olympics, and most have contributed to their teams on a high level, as they do in the NBA. We ranked the top five players from the Division based on their performance so far in France, weighing both their counting stats and their impact on their teams.

1. Serbia C Nikola Jokić

Jokić is the reigning NBA MVP and has been widely considered to be the best player in the league for the last 4 seasons or so. The Olympic Games have been no different as he has led the Serbians into the elimination part of the tournament. Similarly to his contributions when playing for the Denver Nuggets, his team can go toe-to-toe with any team in the world when he is on the floor, but when he sits, his team struggles mightily. For example, the Serbians played Team USA to a standstill when the Joker was on the floor. In the minutes where he sat on the bench, however, Team Serbia was beaten by 26, reflected in the final score. Serbia is not completely deprived of NBA talent outside of their superstar center, but they will go as far as he takes them.

2. Canada G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

There were waves around the league, both amongst fans and some players when the 2024 MVP was announced. Nikola Jokić was deserving to be sure, but there were many who felt the award should have gone to Gilgeous-Alexander after he led the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference. He has proved that hype correct in the Olympics as the leader of Team Canada. He’s not done it through his scoring as much, ceding to RJ Barrett, but in every other facet of the game, his impact is felt. His gravity on the offensive end of the floor is noticeable now, as defenses have committed themselves to slowing down him as a scorer. His playmaking has stolen the show as a result, showing the potential he has as a true offensive maestro. SGA is going to need to continue that play into the season as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to him to pick up some of the playmaking slack now that Josh Giddey is no longer on the team.

3. USA G Anthony Edwards

It’s been said that this year’s USA basketball teams are a good balance of stars of all ages, from players like Diana Taurasi and LeBron James all the way to Sabrina Ionescu and Edwards. Against Puerto Rico, though, Edwards showed that he belongs amongst the best players in the world, scoring an efficient 26 points, punctuated by a breakaway windmill dunk that truly sealed the game. Edwards’ athleticism helps him to dominate on both sides of the ball, but if you ask him, he cares more about his impact on the defensive end. His ball pressure has created many fast break opportunities both for himself and his teammates as Team USA has cruised through their opponents so far. He might be coming off the bench for the Americans, but his energy and relentlessness have helped to solidify the culture that Team USA has been working to develop since they first convened back in June. 

4. France C Rudy Gobert

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has partnered with the reigning Rookie of the Year on the front line for the French national team, creating a fearsome one-two punch down low. Gobert and Victor Wembanyama have been defensive stalwarts so far in this tournament, as expected. Gobert has taken the physical matchup against opposing centers, allowing Wembanyama to roam and take full advantage of his shot-blocking talent. On the offensive end, Gobert has been underwhelming as always, but his teammates have found him in good spots down low when that pass has been available. Gobert’s best contribution has come on the glass, where he has helped to keep opposing players away from offensive rebounds so he or Wembanyama can clear the rebound and push it up the floor. 

5. Canada G Luguentz Dort

Throughout last season, Dort’s defense was put on center stage as the Thunder continued to win, so much so that his perimeter tenaciousness earned the moniker of the “Dorture Chamber”. Dort leaned into that, although he never trumpeted his skills out loud as he continued to take on the best perimeter player on the opposition night in and night out. In Olympic play, nothing changed, as Dort faced down everyone from Willy Hernangomez to Josh Giddey to Giannis Antetokoumpo as Team Canada cruised through pool play. SGA and his teammates have spoken highly of his all-around play, marveling at how far he has come as a player. While this may be his first look at Olympic action for the Canadians, the 25 year old figures to be a mainstay in Canadian basketball for many years to come.