• by Aaron Baar , June 10, 2012

This year’s Olympics mark an important anniversary for basketball fans. It’s the 20^th anniversary of the so-called Dream Team that put the top players from the NBA on one team to compete for the gold under the banner of “USA Basketball.”

To celebrate the anniversary, NBA TV will air a 90-minute documentary telling the definitive story of the 1992 Olympic team, featuring recent interviews with all 12 players on the team as well as rare footage and untold stories about how the team returned the U.S. to Olympic basketball glory. 

Right Guard, which has had a longstanding relationship with the NBA, has signed on as a presenting sponsor of the documentary (which will air on June 13 at 9 p.m. ET) and has created a television commercial celebrating the sport.

“This is a special year for USA Basketball and we are proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the USA Basketball Dream Team,” said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, in a statement e-mailed to Marketing Daily, in response to questions. “The 1992 Dream Team changed the game of basketball on a global scale, and we look forward to honoring the team's legacy as we prepare to compete this summer.”

The commercial features Olympic basketball players in action shots on the court. “Hard work means sweat. And sweat means accomplishment. And the USA Men’s Basketball Team knows all about sweat. Work hard. Keep sweating. We’ve got your back,” says a voice over. The commercial began airing over the weekend on NBA TV. It will also be featured during pre-game coverage of the NBA Finals, during the 2012 NBA Draft and during USA Basketball exhibition games this summer. 

In addition to Right Guard, several other USA Basketball partners have signed on to celebrate the anniversary.  Several Dr Pepper Snapple Group brands (which include Sunkist, 7Up and A&W Root Beer) will feature collectible cans featuring Dream Teamers such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen. Burger King will also distribute collectible cups featuring the original Dream Teams, as well as teams from 1996, 2000, 2008 and this year’s team.