Fansided

The greatest Olympic athlete from every U.S. state

By Adam Strangis

16th October 1964: Alfred A Oerter, American winner of the Gold Medal in the Tokyo Olympics 1964 for Discus throwing. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
16th October 1964: Alfred A Oerter, American winner of the Gold Medal in the Tokyo Olympics 1964 for Discus throwing. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 21: Former basketball player, Scottie Pippen, watches the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 21: Former basketball player, Scottie Pippen, watches the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Arkansas: Scottie Pippen

Sport: Basketball

Olympics: Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996

Scottie Pippen is likely not best known for his Olympic contributions but he played on two versions of the Dream Team that dominated everyone they faced. Pippen was born in Arkansas in 1965 and most sports fans know him as Michael Jordan’s sidekick when the Chicago Bulls were winning six NBA titles. He had a sterling NBA career that culminated in being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame twice. He’s a member as both an NBA player and as a member of USA Basketball.

Pippen is the only basketball player ever to win an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title in the same year twice. When he was a part of USA basketball in 1992, the squad beat their opposition by an average of 44 points. Their competition might not have been great, but the team was under immense pressure to destroy whoever they played. The roster was completely loaded and anything else but smashing the opposition would have been one of the biggest disappointments in Olympic history. Pippen then came back for another run in 1996 that saw the USA win gold yet again.

Pippen is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time, especially at the small forward position. He was a unique blend of size and skill. In addition, he was an excellent defender as evidenced by being named to the NBA All-Defensive first team for eight straight years. There are very few basketball players that can match the accolades Pippen has accrued throughout his career.

Honorable Mention: Bill Carr, track and field in Los Angeles 1932

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