By Phoenix Guevara, March 11, 2025
In the new age of basketball, when international players have claimed the last six NBA MVP awards, questions rose about whether the United States remains the favorite in the 2024 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament. This storyline has kept basketball fans on the edge of their seats throughout the summer and comes to life in one of the most compelling Olympic docuseries ever produced.
Netflix’s new six-part documentary series, “Court of Gold,” documents the journey of four top men’s basketball teams — the United States, France, Serbia and Canada — at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Directed by Jake Rogal and produced in part by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, the series is a testament to how the sport has evolved into a global language.
“It’s fresh and compelling because you’re actually seeing what it’s like to be at the Olympics, and it is so much different than you think it would be,” Rogal told Tudum in an interview about the documentary.
The series uses a fly-on-the-wall approach that blends behind-the-scenes footage, candid interviews and game highlights. The series unfolds across six thoughtfully constructed episodes, starting with a historical overview and team introductions, then building momentum as the tournament progresses. As the series continues, it unveils the emotional stakes, personal narratives and patriotism that drive each team.
“I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s not like a Disney locker room,” Rogal added in the same interview. “It’s real, raw and intense.”
For the United States, anything but the gold medal is viewed as a failure. The series reveals the burden of expectation placed upon the star-studded USA team, which has won gold in seven of the last eight Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournaments.
This time around, Team USA has assembled arguably the best roster of all time, including players like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. With all three approaching the back end of their careers, they want to prove one last time that America, where basketball was created, remains the gold standard.
Unlike the 1992 USA Dream Team, which faced fewer than 10 other NBA players during their Olympic gold medal run, the 2024 tournament features more than 30 NBA players eager to dethrone Team USA.
The home team, France, enters the tournament with a substantial crowd advantage for each game they play. They are backed by the electrifying presence of 7 feet 3 inches tall prodigy Victor Wembanyama. The first pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Wembanyama brings generational talent to his first Olympic appearance and embodies France’s rising status in international basketball. The French team is comprised of both NBA and seasoned European professional players looking to dictate the tournament’s narrative on home soil.
Serbia arrives at the tournament with a different narrative. The team is built on precision, tactical intelligence and a basketball culture that values collective play over individual stardom. Led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, the Serbians feel confident knowing they have arguably the best current basketball player in the world. The series reveals how the teams’ unselfish approach gives the favored Team USA its biggest challenge.
Historically known as a hockey country, Canada comes to this tournament with an underdog mentality. Team Canada, however, is far from underwhelming; they boast a roster of NBA talent that reflects the country’s emerging basketball prowess. Led by Oklahoma City Thunder phenom Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the documentary tracks the team’s journey to establish its presence on the global stage.
As the final buzzer sounds, “Court of Gold” leaves viewers with a profound appreciation for the sport’s universal appeal and the pursuit of excellence by athletes from around the world. Whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan, someone looking to get into the game or someone who barely knows a free throw from a layup, this series is a must-watch.
Feature image courtesy of Netflix
