After starting every U.S. Olympic basketball game at center, big man Tyson Chandler, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, left London with exactly what he came for – a gold medal…and a whole lot of memories.

A key component of the undefeated, star-studded squad, Chandler helped his country defend its title in yet another nail biter against Spain. Pulling away in the final minutes of Sunday’s gold-medal game, the U.S. rallied to a 107-100 victory and its second straight Olympic championship.


An exhilarating experience from start to finish, Chandler, who joined his Olympic teammates in an emotional and meaningful medal ceremony, couldn’t have been more proud to represent the red, white and blue on the world’s largest stage.

“Coach told us before the game we were going to hear the National Anthem twice, once before the game and once after, and I guarantee you are going to feel chills the second time. As I was standing up there, it literally felt as if somebody was pouring a warm glass of water from the top of my head to my feet. I just got chills and goose bumps.”