New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant were named co-recipients of the 2016 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year award for their role in Team USA capturing a third-straight gold medal at this year's Rio Olympics.

Durant led the team scoring at a 19.4 points per game clip while Anthony (12.1 points per game) became the team's all-time leading scorer as the senior citizen providing leadership and experience to a relative makeshift roster composed of new players at the Olympic stage.

Anthony receives the honor for the third time and Durant for the second time, matching their respective gold medal tallies earned through the course of their international career.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Durant said in a statement. “I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play for my country, and I tried to go out there and play as hard as I could and represent as much as I can. I’m grateful that I played with such great teammates and a great staff that were able to help me get this award.”

“It is an incredible honor to represent the USA at the Olympics, and to be given this award for the third time, it’s just humbling,” Anthony said. “Without Kevin Durant, the rest of my teammates and an incredibly dedicated coaching staff, earning such a prestigious award like this would not be possible.”

USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is in his last year of his tenure at the international stage, praised both players for their stake in the team's success.

“Along with their amazing talent, Carmelo and Kevin brought experience and veteran steadiness to a team that had 10 first-time Olympians on it,” Krzyzewski said.

“Their leadership, often by example, and ability to handle difficult situations professionally and effectively were huge assets to the 2016 USA Basketball National Team. Their games translate very well to international basketball, and their numbers reflect that. I greatly admire both of these men – first as immensely talented basketball players, but even more as better people who are tremendous role models in our