# United States men's Olympic water polo team records and statistics

This article contains lists of various statistics on the United States men's national water polo team at the Summer Olympics. The lists are updated as of March 30, 2020.

## Abbreviations

| No. | Cap number | Rk | Rank | App | Appearance | Ref | Reference |
| (C) | Captain | H | Handedness | L | Left-handed | R | Right-handed |
| Pos | Playing position | FP | Field player | GK | Goalkeeper | | |
| CB | Center back (2-meter defense) | CF | Center forward (2-meter offense) | D | Driver (attacker) | U | Utility (except goalkeeper) |
| G | Goals | TG | Total goals | G/M | Goals per match | | |
| MC | Matches coached | MP | Matches played | TMP | Total matches played | | |

## Basics

Men's water polo tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1900. The United States has participated in 22 of 27 tournaments. The United States team is the only non-European squad to win medals in the men's Olympic water polo tournament.
Best results:
* 1st place ( Gold medal):
** 1904 St. Louis (demonstration event)
* 2nd place ( Silver medal):
** 1904 St. Louis (demonstration event)
** 1984 Los Angeles
** 1988 Seoul
** 2008 Beijing
* 3rd place ( Bronze medal):
** 1904 St. Louis (demonstration event)
** 1924 Paris
** 1932 Los Angeles
** 1972 Munich
Latest medal:
* Silver medal (2nd place): 2008 Beijing

## Team
### Results
#### By tournament

The following table shows results of the United States men's national water polo team at the Olympic Games by tournament.
| Games | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Finish | Ref |
| 1900 Paris | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1904 St. Louis | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event | Demonstration event |
| 1908 London | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1912 Stockholm | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1920 Antwerp | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 40.00% | 4th of 12 | |
| 1924 Paris | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 40.00% | 3rd of 13 | |
| 1928 Amsterdam | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 33.33% | 7th of 14 | |
| 1932 Los Angeles | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 12 | +8 | 50.00% | 3rd of 5 | |
| 1936 Berlin | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 33.33% | 9th of 16 | |
| 1948 London | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 33.33% | 11th of 18 | |
| 1952 Helsinki | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 35 | 31 | +4 | 55.56% | 4th of 21 | |
| 1956 Melbourne | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 33.33% | 5th of 10 | |
| 1960 Rome | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 33 | 35 | -2 | 42.86% | 7th of 16 | |
| 1964 Tokyo | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 33.33% | 9th of 13 | |
| 1968 Mexico City | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 43 | +6 | 62.50% | 5th of 15 | |
| 1972 Munich | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 38 | +12 | 66.67% | 3rd of 16 | |
| 1976 Montreal | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1980 Moscow | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew |
| 1984 Los Angeles | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 65 | 43 | +22 | 85.71% | 2nd of 12 | |
| 1988 Seoul | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71 | 56 | +15 | 71.43% | 2nd of 12 | |
| 1992 Barcelona | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 38 | +10 | 57.14% | 4th of 12 | |
| 1996 Atlanta | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 67 | 57 | +10 | 62.50% | 7th of 12 | |
| 2000 Sydney | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 69 | 68 | +1 | 37.50% | 6th of 12 | |
| 2004 Athens | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 57.14% | 7th of 12 | |
| 2008 Beijing | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 57 | 50 | +7 | 71.43% | 2nd of 12 | |
| 2012 London | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 61 | 70 | -9 | 37.50% | 8th of 12 | |
| 2016 Rio de Janeiro | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 40.00% | 10th of 12 | |
| Total | 129 | 68 | 6 | 55 | 791 | 714 | +77 | 52.71% | | |
| Games | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Finish | Ref |

#### Historical progression – best finish

The following table shows the historical progression of the best finish at the Olympic Games.
| Best finish | Achievement | Games | Date | Duration of record |
| 4th | Set record | 1920 Antwerp | Aug 29, 1920 | 3 years, 326 days |
| 3rd | Broke record | 1924 Paris | Jul 20, 1924 | 60 years, 21 days |
| 3rd | Tied record | 1932 Los Angeles | Aug 13, 1932 | 60 years, 21 days |
| 3rd | Tied record | 1972 Munich | Sep 4, 1972 | 60 years, 21 days |
| 2nd | Broke record | 1984 Los Angeles | Aug 10, 1984 | 40 years, 59 days |
| 2nd | Tied record | 1988 Seoul | Oct 1, 1988 | 40 years, 59 days |
| 2nd | Tied record | 2008 Beijing | Aug 24, 2008 | 40 years, 59 days |

#### By opponent

The following tables show results of the United States men's national water polo team at the Olympic Games by opponent.
| Continent | Medals | First | Latest | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Confederation |
| Teams from Americas | 0 | 1936 | 1984 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 70 | 30 | +40 | 90.00% | ASUA |
| Teams from Asia | 0 | 1932 | 2008 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 17 | +24 | 100.00% | AASF |
| Teams from Europe | 73 | 1920 | 2016 | 111 | 52 | 5 | 54 | 645 | 641 | +4 | 46.85% | LEN |
| Teams from Oceania | 0 | 1984 | 2012 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 75.00% | OSA |
| Total | 73 | 1920 | 2016 | 129 | 68 | 6 | 55 | 791 | 714 | +77 | 52.71% | |
| Team | Medals | First | Latest | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Confederation |
| Australia | 0 | 1984 | 2012 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 75.00% | OSA |
| Austria | 0 | 1952 | 1952 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00% | LEN |
| Belgium$^^$ | 6 | 1920 | 1932 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 23 | -3 | 28.57% | LEN |
| Brazil | 0 | 1964 | 1984 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 11 | +22 | 100.00% | ASUA |
| Canada | 0 | 1972 | 1972 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 100.00% | ASUA |
| China | 0 | 1988 | 2008 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 11 | +11 | 100.00% | AASF |
| Croatia$^^$ | 3 | 1996 | 2016 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 47 | 52 | -5 | 57.14% | LEN |
| Cuba | 0 | 1968 | 1972 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 50.00% | ASUA |
| Czechoslovakia$^†$ | 0 | 1992 | 1992 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 100.00% | LEN |
| East Germany$^†$ | 0 | 1968 | 1968 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 100.00% | LEN |
| France$^^$ | 4 | 1924 | 2016 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 60.00% | LEN |
| Germany$^^$ | 3 | 1932 | 2008 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 20 | +6 | 60.00% | LEN |
| Great Britain$^^$ | 4 | 1920 | 2012 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 20 | +8 | 75.00% | LEN |
| Greece | 0 | 1920 | 2000 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 61 | 31 | +30 | 83.33% | LEN |
| Hungary$^^$ | 15 | 1928 | 2012 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 48 | 90 | -42 | 8.33% | LEN |
| Italy$^^$ | 8 | 1952 | 2016 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 58 | 59 | -1 | 50.00% | LEN |
| Japan | 0 | 1932 | 1932 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 100.00% | AASF |
| Kazakhstan | 0 | 2004 | 2004 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 100.00% | AASF |
| Malta | 0 | 1928 | 1928 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 100.00% | LEN |
| Mexico | 0 | 1972 | 1972 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 100.00% | ASUA |
| Montenegro | 0 | 2012 | 2016 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 50.00% | LEN |
| Netherlands$^^$ | 2 | 1924 | 2000 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 43 | 35 | +8 | 71.43% | LEN |
| Romania | 0 | 1952 | 2012 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 25 | +9 | 80.00% | LEN |
| Russia$^^$ | 2 | 2000 | 2004 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 0.00% | LEN |
| Serbia$^^$ | 3 | 2008 | 2012 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 33.33% | LEN |
| Serbia and Montenegro$^{^†}$ | 1 | 1996 | 2004 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 33.33% | LEN |
| Soviet Union$^{^†}$ | 7 | 1956 | 1988 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 25.00% | LEN |
| Spain$^^$ | 2 | 1920 | 2016 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 62 | 57 | +5 | 44.44% | LEN |
| Sweden$^^$ | 3 | 1920 | 1952 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 25.00% | LEN |
| Ukraine | 0 | 1996 | 1996 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 100.00% | LEN |
| Unified Team$^{^†}$ | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 16 | -7 | 0.00% | LEN |
| Uruguay | 0 | 1936 | 1948 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 100.00% | ASUA |
| West Germany$^{^†}$ | 1 | 1968 | 1984 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 16 | +3 | 66.67% | LEN |
| Yugoslavia$^{^†}$ | 8 | 1952 | 1988 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 40 | -10 | 25.00% | LEN |
| Total | 73 | 1920 | 2016 | 129 | 68 | 6 | 55 | 791 | 714 | +77 | 52.71% | |
| Team | Medals | First | Latest | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | Confederation |
$^^$Teams that have won at least one Olympic medal are shown in bold. $^†$Defunct teams are shown in italic.

#### Victories, ties and defeats

* Biggest victory in an Olympic match
** 10–0 vs. Malta, Aug 8, 1928
** 10–0 vs. Japan, Aug 7, 1932
* Heaviest defeat in an Olympic match
** 0–7 vs. Hungary, Aug 11, 1932
** 0–7 vs. Sweden, Aug 3, 1948
* Most victories in an Olympic tournament
** 6, 1972 Summer Olympics
** 6, 1984 Summer Olympics
* Most matches without defeat in an Olympic tournament
** 8, 1972 Summer Olympics
* Most defeats in an Olympic tournament
** 5, 2000 Summer Olympics
** 5, 2012 Summer Olympics
* Most matches without victory in an Olympic tournament
** 5, 2000 Summer Olympics
** 5, 2012 Summer Olympics
* Most ties in an Olympic tournament
** 2, 1972 Summer Olympics
* Most matches without a tie in an Olympic tournament
** 9, 1952 Summer Olympics

#### Goals for and against

* Most goals for in an Olympic match
** 18–9 vs. Greece, Sep 26, 1988
* Least goals for in an Olympic match
** 0–5 vs. Hungary, Aug 6, 1928
** 0–7 vs. Hungary, Aug 11, 1932
** 0–7 vs. Sweden, Aug 3, 1948
** 0–4 vs. Hungary, Aug 2, 1952
* Most goals against in an Olympic match
** 10–14 vs. Hungary, Aug 24, 2008
* Least goals against in an Olympic match
** 7–0 vs. Greece, Aug 24, 1920
** 5–0 vs. Spain, Aug 28, 1920
** 10–0 vs. Malta, Aug 8, 1928
** 10–0 vs. Japan, Aug 7, 1932
** 7–0 vs. Uruguay, Jul 30, 1948
* Most matches scoring in an Olympic tournament
** 9, 1972 Summer Olympics
* Most matches without scoring in an Olympic tournament
** 1, 1928 Summer Olympics
** 1, 1932 Summer Olympics
** 1, 1948 Summer Olympics
** 1, 1952 Summer Olympics
* Most matches conceding a goal in an Olympic tournament
** 9, 1952 Summer Olympics
** 9, 1972 Summer Olympics

### Rosters
#### Number of competitors and average age, height & weight

The following table shows number of competitors and average age, height & weight at the Olympic Games by tournament.
| Games | Competitors | Returning Olympians | Returning Olympians | Average | Average | Average | Finish | Ref |
| Games | Number | Number | % | Age | Height | Weight | Finish | Ref |
| 1920 Antwerp | 11 | 0 | 0.00% | 26 years, 77 days | | | 4th of 12 | |
| 1924 Paris | 11 | 1 | 9.09% | 25 years, 72 days | | | 3rd of 13 | |
| 1928 Amsterdam | 11 | 4 | 36.36% | 25 years, 364 days | | | 7th of 14 | |
| 1932 Los Angeles | 7 | 1 | 14.29% | 26 years, 220 days | | | 3rd of 5 | |
| 1936 Berlin | 9 | 6 | 66.67% | 29 years, 183 days | | | 9th of 16 | |
| 1948 London | 8 | 2 | 25.00% | 31 years, 185 days | | | 11th of 18 | |
| 1952 Helsinki | 10 | 0 | 0.00% | 22 years, 77 days | | | 4th of 21 | |
| 1956 Melbourne | 10 | 2 | 20.00% | 25 years, 230 days | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | 5th of 10 | |
| 1960 Rome | 10 | 4 | 40.00% | 24 years, 361 days | 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 7th of 16 | |
| 1964 Tokyo | 11 | 2 | 18.18% | 23 years, 204 days | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 9th of 13 | |
| 1968 Mexico City | 11 | 4 | 36.36% | 24 years, 187 days | 6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m) | 184 lb (83 kg) | 5th of 15 | |
| 1972 Munich | 11 | 7 | 63.64% | 25 years, 152 days | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | 3rd of 16 | |
| 1984 Los Angeles | 13 | 0 | 0.00% | 27 years, 188 days | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 2nd of 12 | |
| 1988 Seoul | 13 | 5 | 38.46% | 27 years, 345 days | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 2nd of 12 | |
| 1992 Barcelona | 13 | 7 | 53.85% | 28 years, 348 days | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 4th of 12 | |
| 1996 Atlanta | 13 | 5 | 38.46% | 27 years, 24 days | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 7th of 12 | |
| 2000 Sydney | 13 | 6 | 46.15% | 27 years, 353 days | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 6th of 12 | |
| 2004 Athens | 13 | 3 | 23.08% | 25 years, 359 days | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | 7th of 12 | |
| 2008 Beijing | 13 | 7 | 53.85% | 27 years, 186 days | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | 2nd of 12 | |
| 2012 London | 13 | 10 | 76.92% | 30 years, 316 days | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 8th of 12 | |
| 2016 Rio de Janeiro | 13 | 4 | 30.77% | 25 years, 251 days | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 10th of 12 | |
| Games | Number | Number | % | Age | Height | Weight | Finish | Ref |
| Games | Competitors | Returning Olympians | Returning Olympians | Average | Average | Average | | | Finish | Ref |

#### Historical progression – returning Olympians

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of returning Olympians.
| Returning Olympians | Achievement | Games | Date | Duration of record |
| 0 | Set record | 1920 Antwerp | Aug 24, 1920 | 3 years, 324 days |
| 1 | Broke record | 1924 Paris | Jul 13, 1924 | 4 years, 24 days |
| 4 | Broke record | 1928 Amsterdam | Aug 6, 1928 | 8 years, 2 days |
| 6 | Broke record | 1936 Berlin | Aug 8, 1936 | 36 years, 19 days |
| 7 | Broke record | 1972 Munich | Aug 27, 1972 | 39 years, 337 days |
| 7 | Tied record | 1992 Barcelona | Aug 1, 1992 | 39 years, 337 days |
| 7 | Tied record | 2008 Beijing | Aug 10, 2008 | 39 years, 337 days |
| 10 | Broke record | 2012 London | Jul 29, 2012 | 12 years, 71 days |

#### Historical progression – average age, height and weight

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of average age at the Olympic Games.
| Average age | Achievement | Games | Date | Duration of record |
| 26 years, 77 days | Set record | 1920 Antwerp | Aug 24, 1920 | 11 years, 348 days |
| 26 years, 220 days | Broke record | 1932 Los Angeles | Aug 6, 1932 | 4 years, 2 days |
| 29 years, 183 days | Broke record | 1936 Berlin | Aug 8, 1936 | 11 years, 357 days |
| 31 years, 185 days | Broke record | 1948 London | Jul 30, 1948 | 76 years, 70 days |
The following table shows the historical progression of the record of average height at the Olympic Games.
| Average height | Achievement | Games | Date | Duration of record |
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Set record | 1956 Melbourne | Nov 28, 1956 | 27 years, 247 days |
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Tied record | 1972 Munich | Aug 27, 1972 | 27 years, 247 days |
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Broke record | 1984 Los Angeles | Aug 1, 1984 | 4 years, 51 days |
| 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Broke record | 1988 Seoul | Sep 21, 1988 | 3 years, 315 days |
| 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | Broke record | 1992 Barcelona | Aug 1, 1992 | 16 years, 9 days |
| 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | Tied record | 1996 Atlanta | Jul 20, 1996 | 16 years, 9 days |
| 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | Tied record | 2000 Sydney | Sep 23, 2000 | 16 years, 9 days |
| 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | Tied record | 2004 Athens | Aug 15, 2004 | 16 years, 9 days |
| 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Broke record | 2008 Beijing | Aug 10, 2008 | 3 years, 354 days |
| 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Broke record | 2012 London | Jul 29, 2012 | 12 years, 71 days |
| 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Tied record | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Aug 6, 2016 | 12 years, 71 days |
The following table shows the historical progression of the record of average weight at the Olympic Games.
| Average weight | Achievement | Games | Date | Duration of record |
| 182 lb (83 kg) | Set record | 1956 Melbourne | Nov 28, 1956 | 11 years, 321 days |
| 184 lb (83 kg) | Broke record | 1968 Mexico City | Oct 14, 1968 | 3 years, 318 days |
| 188 lb (85 kg) | Broke record | 1972 Munich | Aug 27, 1972 | 11 years, 340 days |
| 190 lb (86 kg) | Broke record | 1984 Los Angeles | Aug 1, 1984 | 4 years, 51 days |
| 201 lb (91 kg) | Broke record | 1988 Seoul | Sep 21, 1988 | 3 years, 315 days |
| 203 lb (92 kg) | Broke record | 1992 Barcelona | Aug 1, 1992 | 8 years, 53 days |
| 203 lb (92 kg) | Tied record | 1996 Atlanta | Jul 20, 1996 | 8 years, 53 days |
| 208 lb (94 kg) | Broke record | 2000 Sydney | Sep 23, 2000 | 3 years, 327 days |
| 210 lb (95 kg) | Broke record | 2004 Athens | Aug 15, 2004 | 3 years, 361 days |
| 218 lb (99 kg) | Broke record | 2008 Beijing | Aug 10, 2008 | 3 years, 354 days |
| 220 lb (100 kg) | Broke record | 2012 London | Jul 29, 2012 | 12 years, 71 days |
| 220 lb (100 kg) | Tied record | 2016 Rio de Janeiro | Aug 6, 2016 | 12 years, 71 days |

## Individual
### Appearances
#### Most appearances

The following tables are pre-sorted by number of Olympic appearances (in descending order), date of the last Olympic appearance (in ascending order), date of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), name of the person (in ascending order), respectively.
Sixteen athletes have each made at least three Olympic appearances. Tony Azevedo is the first and only American water polo player (man or woman) to have competed in five Olympic Games (2000–2016).
| Rk | Name | Pos | H | App | Games as player | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app | Ref |
| 1 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 5 | 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 15 years, 326 days | Nov 21, 1981 | 18 years, 307 days | 34 years, 267 days | |
| 2 | Wally O'Connor | FP | | 4 | 1924 , 1928, 1932 , 1936 | 12 years, 28 days | Aug 25, 1903 | 20 years, 323 days | 32 years, 351 days | |
| 2 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | 4 | 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012 | 11 years, 324 days | Aug 28, 1975 | 25 years, 26 days | 36 years, 350 days | |
| 2 | Jesse Smith | CB/U | R | 4 | 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 11 years, 365 days | Apr 27, 1983 | 21 years, 110 days | 33 years, 109 days | |
| 5 | Ron Crawford | D/CF | R | 3 | 1960, 1964, 1968 | 8 years, 60 days | Dec 6, 1939 | 20 years, 264 days | 28 years, 324 days | |
| 5 | Stan Cole | CF/D | R | 3 | 1964, 1968, 1972 | 7 years, 329 days | Oct 12, 1945 | 18 years, 365 days | 26 years, 328 days | |
| 5 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 3 | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 8 years, 8 days | Oct 9, 1958 | 25 years, 297 days | 33 years, 305 days | |
| 5 | Craig Wilson | GK | | 3 | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 8 years, 8 days | Feb 5, 1957 | 27 years, 178 days | 35 years, 186 days | |
| 5 | Chris Duplanty | GK | | 3 | 1988 , 1992, 1996 | 7 years, 311 days | Oct 21, 1965 | 22 years, 336 days | 30 years, 281 days | |
| 5 | Mike Evans | D | | 3 | 1988 , 1992, 1996 | 7 years, 311 days | Mar 26, 1960 | 28 years, 179 days | 36 years, 124 days | |
| 5 | Chris Humbert | CF | L | 3 | 1992, 1996, 2000 | 8 years, 61 days | Dec 27, 1969 | 22 years, 218 days | 30 years, 279 days | |
| 5 | Wolf Wigo | D | | 3 | 1996, 2000, 2004 | 8 years, 40 days | May 8, 1973 | 23 years, 73 days | 31 years, 113 days | |
| 5 | Layne Beaubien | CB/U | R | 3 | 2004, 2008 , 2012 | 7 years, 363 days | Jul 4, 1976 | 28 years, 42 days | 36 years, 39 days | |
| 5 | Jeff Powers | CF/CB/U | R | 3 | 2004, 2008 , 2012 | 7 years, 363 days | Jan 21, 1980 | 24 years, 207 days | 32 years, 204 days | |
| 5 | Adam Wright | D | R | 3 | 2004, 2008 , 2012 | 7 years, 363 days | May 4, 1977 | 27 years, 103 days | 35 years, 100 days | |
| 5 | Merrill Moses | GK | R | 3 | 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 8 years, 4 days | Aug 13, 1977 | 30 years, 363 days | 39 years, 1 day | |
| Rk | Name | Pos | H | App | Games as player | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app | Ref |
Six men have each made two Olympic appearances as head coaches of the United States men's national team.
| Name | App | Games as head coach | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app |
| Otto Wahle | 2 | 1920, 1924 | 3 years, 331 days | Nov 5, 1879 | 40 years, 293 days | 44 years, 258 days |
| Neil Kohlhase | 2 | 1956, 1960 | 3 years, 280 days | | | |
| Urho Saari | 2 | 1952, 1964 | 12 years, 80 days | | | |
| Monte Nitzkowski | 2 | 1972 , 1984 | 11 years, 349 days | Sep 7, 1929 | 42 years, 355 days | 54 years, 338 days |
| Bill Barnett | 2 | 1988 , 1992 | 3 years, 323 days | | | |
| Terry Schroeder | 2 | 2008 , 2012 | 4 years, 2 days | Oct 9, 1958 | 49 years, 306 days | 53 years, 308 days |
Four Americans have each made Olympic appearances as players and as head coaches of the United States men's national team.
| Rk | Name | App | Games | Games | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app | Ref |
| Rk | Name | App | As player | As head coach | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app | Ref |
| 1 | Terry Schroeder | 5 | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 2008 , 2012 | 28 years, 11 days | Oct 9, 1958 | 25 years, 297 days | 53 years, 308 days | |
| 2 | Perry McGillivray | 2 | 1920 | 1928 | 7 years, 353 days | Aug 5, 1893 | 27 years, 19 days | 35 years, 6 days | |
| 2 | Austin Clapp | 2 | 1932 | 1948 | 15 years, 363 days | Nov 8, 1910 | 21 years, 272 days | 37 years, 269 days | |
| 2 | John Vargas | 2 | 1992 | 2000 | 8 years, 61 days | Jun 17, 1961 | 31 years, 45 days | 39 years, 106 days | |

#### Historical progression – appearances of players

The following table shows the historical progression of appearances of players at the Olympic Games.
| App | Achievement | Games | No. | Player | Pos | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 2 | Set record | 1924 | | Herb Vollmer | FP | | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Jul 13, 1924 | 29 | 8 years, 24 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1928 | | George Mitchell | FP | | | Aug 6, 1928 | 27 | 8 years, 24 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1928 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 6, 1928 | 24 | 8 years, 24 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1928 | | George Schroth | FP | | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Aug 6, 1928 | 28 | 8 years, 24 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1928 | | Johnny Weissmuller | FP | | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 6, 1928 | 24 | 8 years, 24 days |
| 3 | Broke record | 1932 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 6, 1932 | 28 | 4 years, 2 days |
| 4 | Broke record | 1936 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 8, 1936 | 32 | 79 years, 364 days |
| 4 | Tied record | 2012 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Jul 29, 2012 | 30 | 79 years, 364 days |
| 4 | Tied record | 2012 | 9 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Jul 29, 2012 | 36 | 79 years, 364 days |
| 5 | Broke record | 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 6, 2016 | 34 | 8 years, 63 days |

### Matches played
#### Players with at least 20 matches played at the Olympics

The following table is pre-sorted by number of total matches played (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Tony Azevedo is the American water polo player with the most matches played at the Olympic Games.
Players with at least 20 matches played at the Olympics (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Games (matches played) | TMP | Pos | H | Height |
| 1 | Tony Azevedo | 2000 (8), 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8), 2016 (5) | 35 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| 2 | Ryan Bailey | 2000 (8), 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8) | 30 | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) |
| 3 | Jesse Smith | 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8), 2016 (5) | 27 | CB/U | R | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| 4 | Chris Humbert | 1992 (7), 1996 (8), 2000 (8) | 23 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) |
| 4 | Wolf Wigo | 1996 (8), 2000 (8), 2004 (7) | 23 | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) |
| 6 | Layne Beaubien | 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8) | 22 | CB/U | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) |
| 6 | Jeff Powers | 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8) | 22 | CF/CB/U | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| 6 | Adam Wright | 2004 (7), 2008 (7) , 2012 (8) | 22 | D | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| 9 | Terry Schroeder | 1984 (7) , 1988 (7) , 1992 (7) | 21 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) |
| 9 | Craig Wilson | 1984 (7) , 1988 (7) , 1992 (7) | 21 | GK | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) |
| 9 | Mike Evans | 1988 (7) , 1992 (6), 1996 (8) | 21 | D | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| 12 | Stan Cole | 1964 (3), 1968 (8), 1972 (9) | 20 | CF/D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |

#### Historical progression – total matches played

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of total matches played at the Olympic Games.
| TMP | Achievement | Games | No. | Player | Pos | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 10 | Set record | 1936 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 10, 1936 | 32 | 20 years, 116 days |
| 14 | Broke record | 1956 | | Bob Hughes | CF | | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | Dec 4, 1956 | 25 | 11 years, 326 days |
| 17 | Broke record | 1968 | 4 | Ron Crawford | D/CF | R | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Oct 25, 1968 | 28 | 3 years, 315 days |
| 20 | Broke record | 1972 | 2 | Stan Cole | CF/D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Sep 4, 1972 | 26 | 19 years, 340 days |
| 21 | Broke record | 1992 | 1 | Craig Wilson | GK | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Aug 9, 1992 | 35 | 8 years, 53 days |
| 21 | Broke record | 1992 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Aug 9, 1992 | 33 | 8 years, 53 days |
| 21 | Tied record | 1996 | 11 | Mike Evans | D | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Jul 28, 1996 | 36 | 8 years, 53 days |
| 23 | Broke record | 2000 | 10 | Chris Humbert | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | Oct 1, 2000 | 30 | 11 years, 316 days |
| 23 | Tied record | 2004 | 2 | Wolf Wigo | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | Aug 29, 2004 | 31 | 11 years, 316 days |
| 30 | Broke record | 2012 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 12, 2012 | 30 | 4 years, 2 days |
| 30 | Broke record | 2012 | 9 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Aug 12, 2012 | 36 | 4 years, 2 days |
| 35 | Broke record | 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 14, 2016 | 34 | 8 years, 55 days |

#### Players with at least 9 matches played in an Olympic tournament
### Scorers
#### Players with at least 15 goals at the Olympics

The following table is pre-sorted by number of total goals (in descending order), number of total matches played (in ascending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Tony Azevedo is the top scorer of all time for the United States men's Olympic water polo team, with 61 goals.
As a left-hander, Chris Humbert is the American water polo player with the second most goals at the Olympic Games, scoring 37.
Players with at least 15 goals at the Olympics (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Games (goals) | TG | TMP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Ref |
| 1 | Tony Azevedo | 2000 (13), 2004 (15), 2008 (17) , 2012 (11), 2016 (5) | 61 | 35 | 1.743 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | |
| 2 | Chris Humbert | 1992 (7), 1996 (14), 2000 (16) | 37 | 23 | 1.609 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | |
| 3 | Bruce Bradley | 1968 (18), 1972 (17) | 35 | 17 | 2.059 | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | |
| 4 | Wolf Wigo | 1996 (8), 2000 (16), 2004 (7) | 31 | 23 | 1.348 | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | |
| 5 | Terry Schroeder | 1984 (13) , 1988 (10) , 1992 (4) | 27 | 21 | 1.286 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | |
| 6 | Ryan Bailey | 2000 (3), 2004 (2), 2008 (6) , 2012 (13) | 24 | 30 | 0.800 | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | |
| 7 | Jody Campbell | 1984 (10) , 1988 (12) | 22 | 14 | 1.571 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | |
| 8 | Mike Evans | 1988 (10) , 1992 (7), 1996 (5) | 22 | 21 | 1.048 | D | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | |
| 9 | Kevin Robertson | 1984 (13) , 1988 (8) | 21 | 14 | 1.500 | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | |
| 10 | Chris Oeding | 1996 (11), 2000 (8) | 19 | 16 | 1.188 | D | | 6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m) | |
| 11 | Phil Daubenspeck | 1932 (14) , 1936 (4) | 18 | 7 | 2.571 | FP | | | |
| 12 | Layne Beaubien | 2004 (5), 2008 (8) , 2012 (4) | 17 | 22 | 0.773 | CB/U | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | |
| 13 | Peter Varellas | 2008 (5) , 2012 (11) | 16 | 15 | 1.067 | D | L | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | |
| 14 | Jesse Smith | 2004 (9), 2008 (3) , 2012 (3), 2016 (1) | 16 | 27 | 0.593 | CB/U | R | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | |
| 15 | Gary Sheerer | 1968 (8), 1972 (7) | 15 | 17 | 0.882 | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | |
| 16 | Jeff Powers | 2004 (4), 2008 (6) , 2012 (5) | 15 | 22 | 0.682 | CF/CB/U | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | |
| Rk | Player | Games (goals) | TG | TMP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Ref |

#### Historical progression – total goals at the Olympics

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of total goals at the Olympic Games.
| TG | Achievement | Games | No. | Player | Pos | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 6 | Set record | 1928 | | Herbert Topp | FP | | | Aug 11, 1928 | 28 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 14 | Broke record | 1932 | | Phil Daubenspeck | FP | | | Aug 11, 1932 | 26 | 3 years, 365 days |
| 18 | Broke record | 1936 | | Phil Daubenspeck | FP | | | Aug 10, 1936 | 30 | 36 years, 25 days |
| 18 | Tied record | 1968 | 6 | Bruce Bradley | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Oct 25, 1968 | 21 | 36 years, 25 days |
| 35 | Broke record | 1972 | 6 | Bruce Bradley | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Sep 4, 1972 | 25 | 28 years, 27 days |
| 37 | Broke record | 2000 | 10 | Chris Humbert | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | Oct 1, 2000 | 30 | 7 years, 328 days |
| 45 | Broke record | 2008 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 24, 2008 | 26 | 3 years, 354 days |
| 56 | Broke record | 2012 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 12, 2012 | 30 | 4 years, 2 days |
| 61 | Broke record | 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 14, 2016 | 34 | 8 years, 55 days |

#### Players with at least 10 goals in an Olympic tournament

The following table is pre-sorted by number of goals (in descending order), number of matches played (in ascending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Bruce Bradley is the American male player with the most goals in an Olympic tournament, scoring 18.
Players with at least 10 goals in an Olympic tournament (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Games | No. | G | MP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Age | Ref |
| 1 | Bruce Bradley | 1968 | 6 | 18 | 8 | 2.250 | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 21 | |
| 2 | Tony Azevedo | 2008 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 2.429 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 26 | |
| 3 | Bruce Bradley | 1972 | 6 | 17 | 9 | 1.889 | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 25 | |
| 4 | Wolf Wigo | 2000 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 2.000 | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | 27 | |
| 4 | Chris Humbert | 2000 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 2.000 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 30 | |
| 6 | Tony Azevedo | 2004 | 8 | 15 | 7 | 2.143 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 22 | |
| 7 | Phil Daubenspeck | 1932 | | 14 | 4 | 3.500 | FP | | | 26 | |
| 8 | Chris Humbert | 1996 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 1.750 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 26 | |
| 9 | Kevin Robertson | 1984 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 25 | |
| 9 | Terry Schroeder | 1984 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 25 | |
| 11 | Tony Azevedo | 2000 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 1.625 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 18 | |
| 11 | Ryan Bailey | 2012 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 1.625 | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | 36 | |
| 13 | Fred Tisue | 1960 | | 12 | 7 | 1.714 | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 21 | |
| 13 | Jody Campbell | 1988 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 1.714 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 28 | |
| 15 | Chris Oeding | 1996 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | D | | 6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m) | 24 | |
| 15 | Peter Varellas | 2012 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | D | L | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 27 | |
| 15 | Tony Azevedo | 2012 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 30 | |
| 18 | Jody Campbell | 1984 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 1.429 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 24 | |
| 18 | Terry Schroeder | 1988 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 1.429 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 29 | |
| 18 | Mike Evans | 1988 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 1.429 | D | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 28 | |
| Rk | Player | Games | No. | G | MP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Age | Ref |

#### Historical progression – goals in an Olympic tournament

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of goals in an Olympic tournament.
| G | Achievement | Games | No. | Player | Pos | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 6 | Set record | 1928 | | Herbert Topp | FP | | Aug 11, 1928 | 28 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 14 | Broke record | 1932 | | Phil Daubenspeck | FP | | Aug 11, 1932 | 26 | 36 years, 75 days |
| 18 | Broke record | 1968 | 6 | Bruce Bradley | FP | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Oct 25, 1968 | 21 | 55 years, 349 days |

#### Top scorers for each Olympic tournament

The following table shows the top scorers with at least five goals for each Olympic tournament, and is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), number of goals (in descending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Chris Humbert is the first and only American male player to have been the team-leading scorer for three Olympic tournaments (1992–2000).
Top scorers for each Olympic tournament (1920–2016) :
| Games | No. | Player | G | MP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Age | Ref |
| 1920 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1924 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1928 | | Herbert Topp | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | FP | | | 28 | |
| 1932 | | Phil Daubenspeck | 14 | 4 | 3.500 | FP | | | 26 | |
| 1936 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1948 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1952 | | Bill Kooistra | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | FP | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 25 | |
| 1956 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1960 | | Fred Tisue | 12 | 7 | 1.714 | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 21 | |
| 1964 | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals | No players with at least five goals |
| 1968 | 6 | Bruce Bradley | 18 | 8 | 2.250 | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 21 | |
| 1972 | 6 | Bruce Bradley | 17 | 9 | 1.889 | FP | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 25 | |
| 1984 | 2 | Kevin Robertson | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 25 | |
| 1984 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 25 | |
| 1988 | 11 | Jody Campbell | 12 | 7 | 1.714 | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 28 | |
| 1992 | 4 | Mike Evans | 7 | 6 | 1.167 | D | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 32 | |
| 1992 | 9 | Chris Humbert | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 22 | |
| 1992 | 12 | Erich Fischer | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | CB/U | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 26 | |
| 1996 | 10 | Chris Humbert | 14 | 8 | 1.750 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 26 | |
| 2000 | 9 | Wolf Wigo | 16 | 8 | 2.000 | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | 27 | |
| 2000 | 10 | Chris Humbert | 16 | 8 | 2.000 | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 30 | |
| 2004 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | 15 | 7 | 2.143 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 22 | |
| 2008 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | 17 | 7 | 2.429 | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 26 | |
| 2012 | 9 | Ryan Bailey | 13 | 8 | 1.625 | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | 36 | |
| 2016 | 10 | Bret Bonanni | 8 | 5 | 1.600 | D | R | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 22 | |
| Games | No. | Player | G | MP | G/M | Pos | H | Height | Age | Ref |

#### Players with at least 4 goals in an Olympic match

The following table is pre-sorted by number of goals (in descending order), date of the match (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
In water polo, if a player scores three times in a game, a hat-trick is made. Thirty-two American athletes have each made at least one hat-trick in an Olympic match.
Tony Azevedo is the American water polo player with the most hat-tricks made at the Olympic Games, scoring 11.
Bruce Bradley and Chris Humbert are the joint American male players with the second most hat-tricks made at the Olympic Games, scoring 6.
Players with at least 4 goals in an Olympic match (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Games | No. | G | Date | Match | Pos | H | Age | Ref |
| 1 | Herbert Topp | 1928 | | 6 | Aug 8, 1928 | United States 10–0 Malta | FP | | 28 | |
| 1 | Phil Daubenspeck | 1932 | | 6 | Aug 6, 1932 | United States 6–1 Brazil | FP | | 26 | |
| 3 | Phil Daubenspeck | 1932 | | 5 | Aug 7, 1932 | United States 10–0 Japan | FP | | 26 | |
| 3 | Fred Tisue | 1960 | | 5 | Aug 27, 1960 | United States 10–4 France | FP | | 21 | |
| 3 | Tony Azevedo | 2008 | 8 | 5 | Aug 10, 2008 | United States 8–4 China | D | R | 26 | |
| 6 | Bill Kooistra | 1952 | | 4 | Jul 27, 1952 | United States 8–3 Great Britain | FP | | 25 | |
| 6 | Bruce Bradley | 1968 | 6 | 4 | Oct 16, 1968 | United States 10–7 Spain | FP | | 21 | |
| 6 | Terry Schroeder | 1988 | 10 | 4 | Sep 23, 1988 | United States 14–7 China | CF | | 29 | |
| 6 | Jody Campbell | 1988 | 11 | 4 | Sep 26, 1988 | United States 18–9 Greece | CF | | 28 | |
| 6 | Chris Humbert | 1996 | 10 | 4 | Jul 21, 1996 | United States 9–7 Greece | CF | L | 26 | |
| 6 | Chris Humbert | 2000 | 10 | 4 | Sep 25, 2000 | United States 12–8 Netherlands | CF | L | 30 | |
| 6 | Wolf Wigo | 2004 | 2 | 4 | Aug 17, 2004 | United States 9–6 Kazakhstan | D | | 31 | |
| 6 | Tony Azevedo | 2008 | 8 | 4 | Aug 24, 2008 | Hungary 14–10 United States | D | R | 26 | |
| 6 | Tony Azevedo | 2012 | 8 | 4 | Aug 2, 2012 | United States 13–7 Great Britain | D | R | 30 | |
| 6 | Bret Bonanni | 2016 | 10 | 4 | Aug 8, 2016 | Spain 10–9 United States | D | R | 22 | |
| Rk | Player | Games | No. | G | Date | Match | Pos | H | Age | Ref |

### Goalkeepers
#### Starting goalkeepers

The following table is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), number of matches played (in descending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Craig Wilson is the first starting goalkeeper for the United States men's national team to have competed in three Olympic Games (1984–1992). He is the only starting goalkeeper to have won two Olympic medals (1984 , 1988 ).
Starting goalkeepers (1920–2016) :
| Games | No. | Goalkeeper | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | MP | Ref |
| 1920 | | (Unknown) | | | | | | |
| 1924 | | Fred Lauer | | | Oct 13, 1898 | 25 years, 281 days | 5 | |
| 1928 | | Harry Daniels | | | Jun 23, 1900 | 28 years, 49 days | 3 | |
| 1932 | | Herb Wildman | | | Sep 6, 1912 | 19 years, 340 days | 4 | |
| 1936 | | Herb Wildman | | | Sep 6, 1912 | 23 years, 339 days | 2 | |
| 1948 | | Ralph Budelman | | | Apr 19, 1918 | 30 years, 106 days | 3 | |
| 1952 | | Harry Bisbey | | | May 10, 1931 | 21 years, 84 days | 9 | |
| 1956 | | Robert Horn | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Nov 1, 1931 | 25 years, 34 days | 5 | |
| 1960 | | Robert Horn | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Nov 1, 1931 | 28 years, 307 days | 4 | |
| 1964 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | Jun 25, 1936 | 28 years, 110 days | 3 | |
| 1968 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | Jun 25, 1936 | 32 years, 122 days | 8 | |
| 1972 | 1 | Jim Slatton | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Jul 30, 1947 | 25 years, 36 days | 9 | |
| 1984 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Feb 5, 1957 | 27 years, 187 days | 7 | |
| 1988 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Feb 5, 1957 | 31 years, 239 days | 7 | |
| 1992 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Feb 5, 1957 | 35 years, 186 days | 7 | |
| 1996 | 1 | Chris Duplanty | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Oct 21, 1965 | 30 years, 281 days | 8 | |
| 2000 | 1 | Dan Hackett | | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Sep 11, 1970 | 30 years, 20 days | 8 | |
| 2004 | 1 | Brandon Brooks | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Apr 29, 1981 | 23 years, 122 days | 7 | |
| 2008 | 1 | Merrill Moses | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 13, 1977 | 31 years, 11 days | 7 | |
| 2012 | 1 | Merrill Moses | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 13, 1977 | 34 years, 365 days | 8 | |
| 2016 | 1 | Merrill Moses | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 13, 1977 | 39 years, 1 day | 4 | |
| Games | No. | Goalkeeper | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | MP | Ref |

#### Most appearances of goalkeepers

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic appearances (in descending order), date of the last Olympic appearance (in ascending order), date of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), name of the goalkeeper (in ascending order), respectively.
Ten American goalkeepers have each made at least two Olympic appearances.
| Rk | Name | H | App | Games as player | Period | Birthdate | Age of first Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app |
| 1 | Craig Wilson | | 3 | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 8 years, 8 days | Feb 5, 1957 | 27 years, 178 days | 35 years, 186 days |
| 1 | Chris Duplanty | | 3 | 1988 , 1992, 1996 | 7 years, 311 days | Oct 21, 1965 | 22 years, 336 days | 30 years, 281 days |
| 1 | Merrill Moses | R | 3 | 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 8 years, 4 days | Aug 13, 1977 | 30 years, 363 days | 39 years, 1 day |
| 4 | Fred Lauer | | 2 | 1924 , 1936 | 12 years, 28 days | Oct 13, 1898 | 25 years, 274 days | 37 years, 302 days |
| 4 | Herb Wildman | | 2 | 1932 , 1936 | 4 years, 4 days | Sep 6, 1912 | 19 years, 335 days | 23 years, 339 days |
| 4 | Robert Horn | | 2 | 1956, 1960 | 3 years, 280 days | Nov 1, 1931 | 25 years, 27 days | 28 years, 307 days |
| 4 | Tony van Dorp | R | 2 | 1964, 1968 | 4 years, 14 days | Jun 25, 1936 | 28 years, 108 days | 32 years, 122 days |
| 4 | Steve Barnett | | 2 | 1968, 1972 | 3 years, 326 days | Jun 6, 1943 | 25 years, 130 days | 29 years, 90 days |
| 4 | Dan Hackett | | 2 | 1996, 2000 | 4 years, 73 days | Sep 11, 1970 | 25 years, 313 days | 30 years, 20 days |
| 4 | Brandon Brooks | R | 2 | 2004, 2008 | 4 years, 9 days | Apr 29, 1981 | 23 years, 108 days | 27 years, 117 days |

#### Historical progression – appearances of goalkeepers

The following table shows the historical progression of appearances of goalkeepers at the Olympic Games.
| App | Achievement | Games | No. | Goalkeeper | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 2 | Set record | 1936 | | Herb Wildman | | | Aug 8, 1936 | 23 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Set record | 1936 | | Fred Lauer | | | Aug 8, 1936 | 37 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1960 | | Robert Horn | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Aug 26, 1960 | 28 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1968 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | Oct 14, 1968 | 32 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1972 | 9 | Steve Barnett | | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 27, 1972 | 29 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1988 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Sep 21, 1988 | 31 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 3 | Broke record | 1992 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Aug 1, 1992 | 35 | 32 years, 68 days |
| 3 | Tied record | 1996 | 1 | Chris Duplanty | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Jul 20, 1996 | 30 | 32 years, 68 days |
| 3 | Tied record | 2016 | 1 | Merrill Moses | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Aug 6, 2016 | 38 | 32 years, 68 days |

#### Goalkeepers with at least 10 matches played at the Olympics

The following table is pre-sorted by number of total matches played (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the goalkeeper (in ascending order), respectively.
Craig Wilson is the American goalkeeper with the most matches played at the Olympic Games.
Goalkeepers with at least 10 matches played at the Olympics (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Goalkeeper | Games (matches played) | TMP | H | Height |
| 1 | Craig Wilson | 1984 (7) , 1988 (7) , 1992 (7) | 21 | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) |
| 2 | Merrill Moses | 2008 (7) , 2012 (8), 2016 (4) | 19 | R | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| 3 | Steve Barnett | 1968 (8), 1972 (9) | 17 | | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| 4 | Chris Duplanty | 1988 (7) , 1992 (1), 1996 (8) | 16 | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) |
| 5 | Tony van Dorp | 1964 (3), 1968 (8) | 11 | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| 6 | Dan Hackett | 1996 (2), 2000 (8) | 10 | | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) |

#### Historical progression – total matches played by goalkeepers

The following table shows the historical progression of the record of total matches played by goalkeepers at the Olympic Games.
| TMP | Achievement | Games | No. | Goalkeeper | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 5 | Set record | 1924 | | Fred Lauer | | | Jul 20, 1924 | 25 | 12 years, 20 days |
| 6 | Broke record | 1936 | | Herb Wildman | | | Aug 9, 1936 | 23 | 15 years, 359 days |
| 6 | Tied record | 1936 | | Fred Lauer | | | Aug 10, 1936 | 37 | 15 years, 359 days |
| 9 | Broke record | 1952 | | Harry Bisbey | | | Aug 2, 1952 | 21 | 16 years, 84 days |
| 9 | Tied record | 1960 | | Robert Horn | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Sep 2, 1960 | 28 | 16 years, 84 days |
| 11 | Broke record | 1968 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | Oct 25, 1968 | 32 | 3 years, 315 days |
| 17 | Broke record | 1972 | 1 | Jim Slatton | | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Sep 4, 1972 | 29 | 19 years, 340 days |
| 21 | Broke record | 1992 | 1 | Craig Wilson | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Aug 9, 1992 | 35 | 32 years, 60 days |

#### Shots saved and efficiency
### Medalists
#### Multiple Olympic medalists in water polo

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic medals (in descending order), type of the Olympic medal (in descending order), date of receiving an Olympic medal (in ascending order), name of the person (in ascending order), respectively.
Six American athletes have each won two Olympic medals in water polo. Aside from Wally O'Connor, who won medals before World War II, all were members of the men's national team that won consecutive silver medals in 1984 and 1988.
| Rk | Name | Pos | H | Height | Games as player | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Name | Pos | H | Height | Games as player | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Jody Campbell | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 1984 , 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | Peter Campbell | CF/U | | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | 1984 , 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | Kevin Robertson | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 1984 , 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | Craig Wilson | GK | | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | 1924 , 1928, 1932 , 1936 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
Monte Nitzkowski is the first and only man to have won two Olympic medals as the head coach of the United States men's national team.
| Rk | Name | Games as head coach | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Name | Games as head coach | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Monte Nitzkowski | 1972 , 1984 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Terry Schroeder is the first and only American (man or woman) to have won medals in the Olympic water polo tournaments both as a player and as a head coach.
| Rk | Name | Games | Games | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Name | As player | As head coach | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Terry Schroeder | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 2008 , 2012 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |

#### Multiple Olympic medalists in water polo and swimming

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic medals (in descending order), type of the Olympic medal (in descending order), date of the Olympic water polo tournament (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Five American athletes have won Olympic medals in water polo and swimming.
As a member of the 1924 and 1928 U.S. Olympic water polo team, Johnny Weissmuller won five Olympic gold medals in swimming and one bronze medal in water polo.
Tim Shaw is the only American athlete to have won Olympic medals in water polo and swimming after World War II.
| Rk | Name | Height | Water polo | Water polo | Water polo | Water polo | Swimming | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Name | Height | Year | No. | Pos | H | Swimming | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Johnny Weissmuller | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 1924 1928 | | FP | | 1924 – 100 meter freestyle 1924 – 400 meter freestyle 1924 – 4×200 meter freestyle relay 1928 – 100 meter freestyle 1928 – 4×200 meter freestyle relay | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |
| 2 | Wally O'Connor | | 1924 1928 1932 1936 | | FP | | 1924 – 4×200 meter freestyle relay | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 3 | Austin Clapp | | 1932 | | FP | | 1928 – 4×200 meter freestyle relay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 4 | Tim Shaw | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 1984 | 12 | D | | 1976 – 400 meter freestyle | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | Jam Handy | | 1924 | | FP | | 1904 – 440 yard breaststroke | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |

### Head coaches

Monte Nitzkowski is the first and only coach to lead the United States men's national team to have won two Olympic medals (1972 , 1984 ).
Head coaches (1920–2016) :
| Games | Head coach | Nationality | Birthdate | Age | MC | W | D | L | Win % | Ref |
| 1920 | Otto Wahle | United States | Nov 5, 1879 | 40 years, 298 days | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40.00% | |
| 1924 | Harry Hebner (did not go) | United States | Jun 15, 1891 | 33 years, 35 days | 0 | –– | –– | –– | –– | |
| 1924 | Otto Wahle | United States | Nov 5, 1879 | 44 years, 258 days | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40.00% | |
| 1928 | Perry McGillivray | United States | Aug 5, 1893 | 35 years, 6 days | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% | |
| 1932 | Frank Rivas | United States | | | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.00% | |
| 1936 | Clyde Swendsen | United States | May 25, 1895 | 41 years, 77 days | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% | |
| 1948 | Austin Clapp | United States | Nov 8, 1910 | 37 years, 269 days | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.33% | |
| 1952 | Urho Saari | United States | | | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 55.56% | |
| 1956 | Neil Kohlhase | United States | | | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 33.33% | |
| 1960 | Neil Kohlhase | United States | | | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 42.86% | |
| 1964 | Urho Saari | United States | | | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33% | |
| 1968 | Art Lambert | United States | | | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 62.50% | |
| 1972 | Monte Nitzkowski | United States | Sep 7, 1929 | 42 years, 363 days | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 66.67% | |
| 1980$^*$ | Monte Nitzkowski | United States | Sep 7, 1929 | 50 years, 326 days | 0 | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | Qualified but withdrew | |
| 1984 | Monte Nitzkowski | United States | Sep 7, 1929 | 54 years, 338 days | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 85.71% | |
| 1988 | Bill Barnett | United States | | | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | |
| 1992 | Bill Barnett | United States | | | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.14% | |
| 1996 | Richard Corso | United States | | | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 62.50% | |
| 2000 | John Vargas | United States | Jun 17, 1961 | 39 years, 106 days | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 37.50% | |
| 2004 | Ratko Rudić | Italy | Jun 7, 1948 | 56 years, 83 days | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 57.14% | |
| 2008 | Terry Schroeder | United States | Oct 9, 1958 | 49 years, 320 days | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 71.43% | |
| 2012 | Terry Schroeder | United States | Oct 9, 1958 | 53 years, 308 days | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 37.50% | |
| 2016 | Dejan Udovičić | Serbia | Jul 27, 1970 | 46 years, 18 days | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40.00% | |
| Games | Head coach | Nationality | Birthdate | Age | MC | W | D | L | Win % | Ref |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

#### Historical progression – appearances of head coaches

The following table shows the historical progression of appearances of head coaches at the Olympic Games.
| App | Achievement | Games | Head coach | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 1 | Set record | 1920 | Otto Wahle | Aug 24, 1920 | 40 | 3 years, 324 days |
| 2 | Broke record | 1924 | Otto Wahle | Jul 13, 1924 | 44 | 100 years, 87 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1960 | Neil Kohlhase | Aug 26, 1960 | | 100 years, 87 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1964 | Urho Saari | Oct 11, 1964 | | 100 years, 87 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1984 | Monte Nitzkowski | Aug 1, 1984 | 54 | 100 years, 87 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1992 | Bill Barnett | Aug 1, 1992 | | 100 years, 87 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 2012 | Terry Schroeder | Jul 29, 2012 | 53 | 100 years, 87 days |

### Captains

Terry Schroeder and Tony Azevedo are the only two American water polo players (men or women) to have each captained in three Olympic tournaments.
Captains (1920–2016) :
| Games | No. | Captain | Pos | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | G | MP | G/M | Ref |
| 1920 | | Harry Hebner | FP | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Jun 15, 1891 | 29 years, 75 days | 1 | 3 | 0.333 | |
| 1924 | | Herb Vollmer | FP | | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Feb 15, 1895 | 29 years, 156 days | 3 | 5 | 0.600 | |
| 1928 | | George Mitchell | FP | | | Apr 23, 1901 | 27 years, 110 days | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | |
| 1932 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 25, 1903 | 28 years, 352 days | 2 | 4 | 0.500 | |
| 1936 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 25, 1903 | 32 years, 351 days | 2 | 3 | 0.667 | |
| 1948 | | Edwin Knox | FP | | | Jul 24, 1914 | 34 years, 10 days | 1 | 2 | 0.500 | |
| 1952 | | Jim Norris | CB | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Jul 7, 1930 | 22 years, 26 days | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | |
| 1956 | | Bill Kooistra | FP | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Aug 26, 1926 | 30 years, 101 days | 1 | 5 | 0.200 | |
| 1960 | | (Unknown) | | | | | | | | | |
| 1964 | | (Unknown) | | | | | | | | | |
| 1968 | 2 | Dave Ashleigh | FP | R | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Aug 8, 1943 | 25 years, 78 days | 2 | 8 | 0.250 | |
| 1972 | 5 | Gary Sheerer | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | Feb 18, 1947 | 25 years, 199 days | 7 | 9 | 0.778 | |
| 1980$^*$ | | (Unknown) | | | | | | –– | –– | –– | |
| 1984 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Oct 9, 1958 | 25 years, 306 days | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | |
| 1988 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Oct 9, 1958 | 29 years, 358 days | 10 | 7 | 1.429 | |
| 1992 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Oct 9, 1958 | 33 years, 305 days | 4 | 7 | 0.571 | |
| 1996 | 1 | Chris Duplanty | GK | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Oct 21, 1965 | 30 years, 281 days | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | |
| 2000 | 5 | Chris Oeding | D | | 6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m) | Sep 10, 1971 | 29 years, 21 days | 8 | 8 | 1.000 | |
| 2004 | 2 | Wolf Wigo | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | May 8, 1973 | 31 years, 113 days | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | |
| 2008 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Nov 21, 1981 | 26 years, 277 days | 17 | 7 | 2.429 | |
| 2012 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Nov 21, 1981 | 30 years, 265 days | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | |
| 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Nov 21, 1981 | 34 years, 267 days | 5 | 5 | 1.000 | |
| Games | No. | Captain | Pos | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | G | MP | G/M | Ref |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

#### Historical progression – appearances of captains

The following table shows the historical progression of appearances of captains at the Olympic Games.
| App | Achievement | Games | No. | Captain | Pos | H | Height | Date | Age | Duration of record |
| 1 | Set record | 1920 | | Harry Hebner | FP | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Aug 24, 1920 | 29 | 15 years, 350 days |
| 1 | Tied record | 1924 | | Herb Vollmer | FP | | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Jul 13, 1924 | 29 | 15 years, 350 days |
| 1 | Tied record | 1928 | | George Mitchell | FP | | | Aug 6, 1928 | 27 | 15 years, 350 days |
| 1 | Tied record | 1932 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 6, 1932 | 28 | 15 years, 350 days |
| 2 | Broke record | 1936 | | Wally O'Connor | FP | | | Aug 8, 1936 | 32 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 2 | Tied record | 1988 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Sep 21, 1988 | 29 | 55 years, 359 days |
| 3 | Broke record | 1992 | 10 | Terry Schroeder | CF | | 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) | Aug 1, 1992 | 33 | 32 years, 68 days |
| 3 | Tied record | 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Aug 6, 2016 | 34 | 32 years, 68 days |

### Sprinters

The following table shows the players with at least three sprints for each Olympic tournament (2000–2016), and is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), number of sprints (in descending order), number of matches played (in descending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Sprinters are usually the fastest swimmers of the water polo team. If a water polo player won an Olympic medal in swimming, he would be an outstanding sprinter.
Brad Schumacher is the latest example. He won two gold medals for the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics: in the men's 4×100 meter freestyle relay and in the men's 4×200 meter freestyle relay. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he was the top sprinter of the men's water polo tournament.
Sprinters (2000–2016) :
| Games | No. | Sprinter | MP | Sprints | Sprints | Sprints | Pos | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | Note | Ref |
| Games | No. | Sprinter | MP | W | T | Win % | Pos | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | Note | Ref |
| 2000 | 7 | Brad Schumacher | 8 | 20 | 34 | 58.82% | D | | 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) | Mar 6, 1974 | 26 | 1996 – 4×100 meter freestyle relay. 1996 – 4×200 meter freestyle relay. Top sprinter – 2000 water polo tournament. | |
| 2004 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | 7 | 6 | 10 | 60.00% | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Nov 21, 1981 | 22 | | |
| 2004 | 3 | Omar Amr | 7 | 4 | 8 | 50.00% | D | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | Sep 20, 1974 | 29 | | |
| 2004 | 2 | Wolf Wigo | 7 | 2 | 8 | 25.00% | D | | 6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m) | May 8, 1973 | 31 | | |
| 2008 | 2 | Peter Varellas | 7 | 8 | 18 | 44.44% | D | L | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Oct 2, 1984 | 23 | | |
| 2008 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | 7 | 2 | 5 | 40.00% | D | R | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Nov 21, 1981 | 26 | | |
| 2008 | 7 | Layne Beaubien | 7 | 3 | 4 | 75.00% | U | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Jul 4, 1976 | 32 | | |
| 2012 | 2 | Peter Varellas | 8 | 10 | 15 | 66.67% | D | L | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Oct 2, 1984 | 27 | | |
| 2012 | 7 | Layne Beaubien | 8 | 4 | 8 | 50.00% | U | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | Jul 4, 1976 | 36 | | |
| 2012 | 6 | Shea Buckner | 8 | 1 | 6 | 16.67% | D | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | Dec 12, 1986 | 25 | | |
| 2016 | 7 | Josh Samuels | 5 | 5 | 10 | 50.00% | D | R | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Jul 8, 1991 | 25 | | |
| 2016 | 2 | Thomas Dunstan | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% | D | L | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Sep 29, 1997 | 18 | | |
| Games | No. | Sprinter | MP | W | T | Win % | Pos | H | Height | Birthdate | Age | Note | Ref |
| Ref |||

### Left-handed players

Most water polo players are right-handed. Skilled left-handed players are very valuable, because they can get special angles that right-handed players can not get. Left-handed drivers (attackers) are usually on the right side of the field. With right-handed drivers on the left side of the field, left-handed drivers allow their teams to launch two-sided attacks.
As a left-handed center (2-meter man), Chris Humbert is the American male player with the second most goals at the Olympic Games.
Kevin Robertson is one of the smallest but quickest player in American water polo history. As a left-handed driver (attacker), he is the American male player with the ninth most goals at the Olympic Games, and he is the first and only American male left-hander to have won two Olympic medals in water polo.
Left-handed players (1920–2016) :
| Games | No. | Player | Pos | Height | Birthdate | Age | G | MP | G/M | Ref |
| 1972 | 11 | Eric Lindroth | CF | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Sep 12, 1951 | 20 years, 358 days | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | |
| 1980$^*$ | | Eric Lindroth | CF | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Sep 12, 1951 | 28 years, 321 days | –– | –– | –– | |
| 1980$^*$ | | Kevin Robertson | D | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | Feb 2, 1959 | 21 years, 178 days | –– | –– | –– | |
| 1984 | 2 | Kevin Robertson | D | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | Feb 2, 1959 | 25 years, 190 days | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | |
| 1988 | 2 | Kevin Robertson | D | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | Feb 2, 1959 | 29 years, 242 days | 8 | 7 | 1.143 | |
| 1988 | 6 | Craig Klass | CF | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Jun 20, 1965 | 23 years, 103 days | 2 | 7 | 0.286 | |
| 1992 | 9 | Chris Humbert | CF | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | Dec 27, 1969 | 22 years, 226 days | 7 | 7 | 1.000 | |
| 1992 | 11 | Craig Klass | CF | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Jun 20, 1965 | 27 years, 50 days | 5 | 6 | 0.833 | |
| 1992 | 13 | Alex Rousseau | CF | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Nov 4, 1967 | 24 years, 279 days | 5 | 7 | 0.714 | |
| 1996 | 3 | Jeremy Laster | D | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Feb 24, 1974 | 22 years, 155 days | 7 | 8 | 0.875 | |
| 1996 | 7 | Alex Rousseau | CF | 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) | Nov 4, 1967 | 28 years, 267 days | 2 | 8 | 0.250 | |
| 1996 | 10 | Chris Humbert | CF | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | Dec 27, 1969 | 26 years, 214 days | 14 | 8 | 1.750 | |
| 2000 | 10 | Chris Humbert | CF | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | Dec 27, 1969 | 30 years, 279 days | 16 | 8 | 2.000 | |
| 2008 | 2 | Peter Varellas | D | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Oct 2, 1984 | 23 years, 327 days | 5 | 7 | 0.714 | |
| 2012 | 2 | Peter Varellas | D | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Oct 2, 1984 | 27 years, 315 days | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | |
| 2016 | 2 | Thomas Dunstan | D | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Sep 29, 1997 | 18 years, 320 days | 1 | 5 | 0.200 | |
| Games | No. | Player | Pos | Height | Birthdate | Age | G | MP | G/M | Ref |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

## Miscellaneous
### Age records
#### Top 10 oldest players

The following table is pre-sorted by age of the last Olympic appearance (in descending order), date of the last Olympic appearance (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 oldest players (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Birthdate | Date of last Olympic app | Age of last Olympic app | Games | No. |
| 1 | Charley Finn | FP | | July 28, 1897 | August 10, 1936 | 39 years, 13 days | 1936 | |
| 2 | Merrill Moses | GK | R | August 13, 1977 | August 14, 2016 | 39 years, 1 day | 2016 | 1 |
| 3 | Jam Handy | FP | | March 6, 1886 | July 20, 1924 | 38 years, 136 days | 1924 | |
| 4 | Fred Lauer | GK | | October 13, 1898 | August 10, 1936 | 37 years, 302 days | 1936 | |
| 5 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | August 28, 1975 | August 12, 2012 | 36 years, 350 days | 2012 | 9 |
| 6 | Mike Evans | D | | March 26, 1960 | July 28, 1996 | 36 years, 124 days | 1996 | 11 |
| 7 | Layne Beaubien | U | R | July 4, 1976 | August 12, 2012 | 36 years, 39 days | 2012 | 7 |
| 8 | Craig Wilson | GK | | February 5, 1957 | August 9, 1992 | 35 years, 186 days | 1992 | 1 |
| 9 | Adam Wright | D | R | May 4, 1977 | August 12, 2012 | 35 years, 100 days | 2012 | 5 |
| 10 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | November 21, 1981 | August 14, 2016 | 34 years, 267 days | 2016 | 8 |

#### Top 10 oldest Olympic debutants

The following table is pre-sorted by age of the first Olympic appearance (in descending order), date of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 oldest Olympic debutants (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Birthdate | Date of first Olympic app | Age of first Olympic app | Games | No. |
| 1 | Jam Handy | FP | | March 6, 1886 | July 13, 1924 | 38 years, 129 days | 1924 | |
| 2 | Charley Finn | FP | | July 28, 1897 | August 6, 1932 | 35 years, 9 days | 1932 | |
| 3 | Edwin Knox | FP | | July 24, 1914 | July 30, 1948 | 34 years, 6 days | 1948 | |
| 4 | Robert Lynn | CB/U | | February 7, 1967 | September 23, 2000 | 33 years, 229 days | 2000 | 3 |
| 5 | John Siman | CB | | October 7, 1952 | August 1, 1984 | 31 years, 299 days | 1984 | 8 |
| 6 | John Vargas | D | | June 17, 1961 | August 1, 1992 | 31 years, 45 days | 1992 | 2 |
| 7 | Sophus Jensen | | | July 27, 1889 | August 24, 1920 | 31 years, 28 days | 1920 | |
| 8 | Harold Dash | FP | | July 22, 1917 | July 30, 1948 | 31 years, 8 days | 1948 | |
| 9 | Merrill Moses | GK | R | August 13, 1977 | August 10, 2008 | 30 years, 363 days | 2008 | 1 |
| 10 | Lee Case | FP | | August 8, 1917 | July 30, 1948 | 30 years, 357 days | 1948 | |

#### Top 10 youngest players (Olympic debutants)

The following table is pre-sorted by age of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), date of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 youngest players (Olympic debutants, 1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Birthdate | Date of first Olympic app | Age of first Olympic app | Games | No. |
| 1 | Bob Saari | FP | R | June 7, 1948 | October 11, 1964 | 16 years, 126 days | 1964 | 7 |
| 2 | Ben Hallock | CF | R | November 22, 1997 | August 6, 2016 | 18 years, 258 days | 2016 | 3 |
| 3 | Bill Dornblaser | FP | | November 4, 1933 | July 25, 1952 | 18 years, 264 days | 1952 | |
| 4 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | November 21, 1981 | September 23, 2000 | 18 years, 307 days | 2000 | 8 |
| 5 | Thomas Dunstan | D | L | September 29, 1997 | August 6, 2016 | 18 years, 312 days | 2016 | 2 |
| 6 | Stan Cole | CF/D | R | October 12, 1945 | October 11, 1964 | 18 years, 365 days | 1964 | 6 |
| 7 | James Carson | FP | | July 30, 1901 | August 24, 1920 | 19 years, 25 days | 1920 | |
| 8 | Norman Lake | FP | | December 8, 1932 | July 25, 1952 | 19 years, 230 days | 1952 | |
| 9 | Herb Wildman | GK | | September 6, 1912 | August 6, 1932 | 19 years, 335 days | 1932 | |
| 10 | Johnny Weissmuller | FP | | June 2, 1904 | July 13, 1924 | 20 years, 41 days | 1924 | |

#### Top 10 oldest Olympic medalists

The following table is pre-sorted by age of receiving an Olympic medal (in descending order), date of receiving an Olympic medal (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 oldest Olympic medalists (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Birthdate | Date of receiving an Olympic medal | Age of receiving an Olympic medal | Games | No. |
| 1 | Jam Handy | FP | | March 6, 1886 | July 20, 1924 | 38 years, 136 days | 1924 | |
| 2 | Charley Finn | FP | | July 28, 1897 | August 13, 1932 | 35 years, 16 days | 1932 | |
| 3 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | August 28, 1975 | August 24, 2008 | 32 years, 362 days | 2008 | 9 |
| 4 | Layne Beaubien | U | R | July 4, 1976 | August 24, 2008 | 32 years, 51 days | 2008 | 7 |
| 5 | John Siman | CB | | October 7, 1952 | August 10, 1984 | 31 years, 308 days | 1984 | 8 |
| 6 | Craig Wilson | GK | | February 5, 1957 | October 1, 1988 | 31 years, 239 days | 1988 | 1 |
| 7 | Adam Wright | D | R | May 4, 1977 | August 24, 2008 | 31 years, 112 days | 2008 | 5 |
| 8 | Merrill Moses | GK | R | August 13, 1977 | August 24, 2008 | 31 years, 11 days | 2008 | 1 |
| 9 | Jon Svendsen | CB | | October 26, 1953 | August 10, 1984 | 30 years, 289 days | 1984 | 7 |
| 10 | Greg Boyer | CF | | February 5, 1958 | October 1, 1988 | 30 years, 239 days | 1988 | 9 |

#### Top 10 youngest Olympic medalists

The following table is pre-sorted by age of receiving an Olympic medal (in ascending order), date of receiving an Olympic medal (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 youngest Olympic medalists (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Birthdate | Date of receiving an Olympic medal | Age of receiving an Olympic medal | Games | No. |
| 1 | Herb Wildman | GK | | September 6, 1912 | August 13, 1932 | 19 years, 342 days | 1932 | |
| 2 | Johnny Weissmuller | FP | | June 2, 1904 | July 20, 1924 | 20 years, 48 days | 1924 | |
| 3 | Wally O'Connor | FP | | August 25, 1903 | July 20, 1924 | 20 years, 330 days | 1924 | |
| 4 | J. W. Krumpholz | CF | R | September 22, 1987 | August 24, 2008 | 20 years, 337 days | 2008 | 12 |
| 5 | Eric Lindroth | CF | L | September 12, 1951 | September 4, 1972 | 20 years, 358 days | 1972 | 11 |
| 6 | Austin Clapp | FP | | November 8, 1910 | August 13, 1932 | 21 years, 279 days | 1932 | |
| 7 | Art Austin | FP | | July 8, 1902 | July 20, 1924 | 22 years, 12 days | 1924 | |
| 8 | Chris Duplanty | GK | | October 21, 1965 | October 1, 1988 | 22 years, 346 days | 1988 | 12 |
| 9 | Oliver Horn | FP | | June 22, 1901 | July 20, 1924 | 23 years, 28 days | 1924 | |
| 10 | Tim Hutten | CB | R | June 4, 1985 | August 24, 2008 | 23 years, 81 days | 2008 | 10 |

### Physical records
#### Top 10 tallest players

The following table is pre-sorted by height of the player (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 tallest players (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Height | Maximum weight | Games |
| 1 | Doug Kimbell | CB | | 6 ft 8.5 in (2.04 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 1988 , 1992 |
| 2 | McQuin Baron | GK | R | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 2016 |
| 3 | Genai Kerr | GK | | 6 ft 7.5 in (2.02 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | 2004 |
| 4 | Jeff Powers | CF/CB/U | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 238 lb (108 kg) | 2004, 2008 , 2012 |
| 4 | Alex Roelse | CB | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 231 lb (105 kg) | 2016 |
| 6 | Chris Humbert | CF | L | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 1992, 1996, 2000 |
| 6 | Kyle Kopp | CF | | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 1996, 2000 |
| 8 | Bob Hughes | CF | | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 1952, 1956 |
| 8 | John Mann | CF | R | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 249 lb (113 kg) | 2012, 2016 |
| 8 | Ben Hallock | CF | R | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | 2016 |
| 8 | Alex Obert | CF/CB | R | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 2016 |

#### Top 10 shortest players

The following table is pre-sorted by height of the player (in ascending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 shortest players (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Height | Minimum weight | Games |
| 1 | Perry McGillivray | FP | | 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) | | 1920 |
| 1 | Herbert Taylor | | | 5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m) | | 1920 |
| 3 | William Vosburgh | FP | | 5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m) | | 1920 |
| 4 | Fred Tisue | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | 1960 |
| 4 | Gary Sheerer | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 161 lb (73 kg) | 1968, 1972 |
| 4 | Kevin Robertson | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 |
| 7 | Clement Browne | | | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | | 1920 |
| 7 | Jack Spargo | D | | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | | 1952 |
| 9 | Oliver Horn | FP | | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | | 1924 |
| 9 | Ned McIlroy | FP | R | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1964 |
| 9 | John Vargas | D | | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 154 lb (70 kg) | 1992 |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

#### Top 10 heaviest players

The following table is pre-sorted by maximum weight of the player (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 heaviest players (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Height | Maximum weight | Games |
| 1 | Paul Samson | FP | | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | 251 lb (114 kg) | 1928 |
| 2 | Ryan Bailey | CF | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | 249 lb (113 kg) | 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012 |
| 2 | John Mann | CF | R | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 249 lb (113 kg) | 2012, 2016 |
| 4 | Brandon Brooks | GK | R | 6 ft 5.5 in (1.97 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | 2004, 2008 |
| 4 | Ben Hallock | CF | R | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | 2016 |
| 6 | Jesse Smith | CB/U | R | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 |
| 7 | Jeff Powers | CF/CB/U | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 238 lb (108 kg) | 2004, 2008 , 2012 |
| 8 | Peter Hudnut | CB | R | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 231 lb (105 kg) | 2008 , 2012 |
| 8 | Alex Roelse | CB | R | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 231 lb (105 kg) | 2016 |
| 10 | Doug Kimbell | CB | | 6 ft 8.5 in (2.04 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 1988 , 1992 |
| 10 | Kyle Kopp | CF | | 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 1996, 2000 |
| 10 | McQuin Baron | GK | R | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 2016 |

#### Top 10 lightest players

The following table is pre-sorted by minimum weight of the player (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Top 10 lightest players (1920–2016) :
| Rk | Player | Pos | H | Height | Minimum weight | Games |
| 1 | Ronald Severa | FP | | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 154 lb (70 kg) | 1956, 1960 |
| 1 | John Vargas | D | | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 154 lb (70 kg) | 1992 |
| 3 | Ron Crawford | D/CF | R | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 161 lb (73 kg) | 1960, 1964, 1968 |
| 3 | Gary Sheerer | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 161 lb (73 kg) | 1968, 1972 |
| 5 | Chick McIlroy | D/CF | R | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | 1960, 1964 |
| 5 | Fred Tisue | FP | | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | 1960 |
| 7 | Ned McIlroy | FP | R | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1964 |
| 7 | Paul McIlroy | FP | R | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1964 |
| 7 | Ralph Whitney | FP | R | 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1964 |
| 7 | Kevin Robertson | D | L | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

### Birthplaces
#### Players born outside the United States

The following table is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), Cap number or name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Twelve players were born outside the United States, in four continents (Asia, Europe, North America, and South America).
Players born outside the United States (1920–2016) :
| Games | No. | Player | Pos | H | Birthplace | Country | Continent | Birthdate | Age | Ref |
| 1920 | | Clement Browne | | | Freetown, Antigua | Leeward Islands | North America | Jan 4, 1896 | 24 | |
| 1924 | | Johnny Weissmuller | FP | | Freidorf (Szabadfalva) | Austria-Hungary | Europe | Jun 2, 1904 | 20 | |
| 1928 | | Herbert Topp | FP | | Copenhagen | Denmark | Europe | Apr 20, 1900 | 28 | |
| 1928 | | Johnny Weissmuller | FP | | Freidorf (Szabadfalva) | Austria-Hungary | Europe | Jun 2, 1904 | 24 | |
| 1956 | | Bob Frojen | FP | | Hamburg, Hamburg | Germany | Europe | Dec 1, 1930 | 25 | |
| 1956 | | Bill Ross | FP | | Toronto, Ontario | Canada | North America | Jul 6, 1928 | 28 | |
| 1964 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | GK | R | Batavia | Dutch East Indies | Asia | Jun 25, 1936 | 28 | |
| 1968 | 1 | Tony van Dorp | GK | R | Batavia | Dutch East Indies | Asia | Jun 25, 1936 | 32 | |
| 1980$^*$ | | Drew McDonald | CB | | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | North America | Oct 19, 1955 | 24 | |
| 1984 | 9 | Drew McDonald | CB | | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | North America | Oct 19, 1955 | 28 | |
| 1988 | 6 | Craig Klass | CF | L | Wiesbaden, Hesse | West Germany | Europe | Jun 20, 1965 | 23 | |
| 1992 | 11 | Craig Klass | CF | L | Wiesbaden, Hesse | West Germany | Europe | Jun 20, 1965 | 27 | |
| 1992 | 13 | Alex Rousseau | CF | L | Paris | France | Europe | Nov 4, 1967 | 24 | |
| 1996 | 7 | Alex Rousseau | CF | L | Paris | France | Europe | Nov 4, 1967 | 28 | |
| 2000 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America | Nov 21, 1981 | 18 | |
| 2004 | 8 | Tony Azevedo | D | R | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America | Nov 21, 1981 | 22 | |
| 2008 | 8 | Tony Azevedo (C) | D | R | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America | Nov 21, 1981 | 26 | |
| 2012 | 8 | Tony Azevedo (C) | D | R | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America | Nov 21, 1981 | 30 | |
| 2016 | 5 | Alex Roelse | CB | R | Gorinchem, South Holland | Netherlands | Europe | Jan 10, 1995 | 21 | |
| 2016 | 6 | Luca Cupido | D | R | Genoa, Liguria | Italy | Europe | Nov 9, 1995 | 20 | |
| 2016 | 8 | Tony Azevedo (C) | D | R | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | South America | Nov 21, 1981 | 34 | |
| Games | No. | Player | Pos | H | Birthplace | Country | Continent | Birthdate | Age | Ref |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

### Colleges

The following table is pre-sorted by number of times of players (in descending order), number of Olympic medals (in descending order), number of editions of the Olympics (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the college (in ascending order), respectively.
Most athletes played collegiate water polo, many of them were NCAA Champions. The graduates from seven colleges in California (Long Beach State, Pepperdine, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UCLA, and USC) have gone on to be the major part of the United States men's water polo Olympic team.
| Rk | College | College | Players | Players | Games | Games | Games | Games | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Name | Team | Number | Times | Year | Debut | Last | Edition | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford Cardinal | 29 | 49 | 1924 , 1928, 1932 , 1936, 1956, 1964, 1968, 1972 , 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 , 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 1924 | 2016 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 22 | |
| 2 | University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA Bruins | 24 | 37 | 1936, 1948, 1952, 1964, 1968, 1972 , 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 1936 | 2016 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | California Golden Bears | 16 | 27 | 1924 , 1928, 1960, 1968, 1972 , 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 , 1992, 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016 | 1924 | 2016 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| 4 | University of California, Irvine | UC Irvine Anteaters | 13 | 26 | 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 , 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 , 2012 | 1980$^*$ | 2012 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | |
| 5 | University of Southern California | USC Trojans | 20 | 25 | 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1992, 2000, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 1936 | 2016 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 6 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach State 49ers | 9 | 16 | 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 , 1984 , 1988 , 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 | 1956 | 2004 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Pepperdine University | Pepperdine Waves | 3 | 11 | 1980$^*$, 1984 , 1988 , 1992, 2004, 2008 , 2012, 2016 | 1980$^*$ | 2016 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 8 | University of California, Santa Barbara | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | 2 | 4 | 1984 , 1988 , 1992 | 1984 | 1992 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 9 | Columbia University | Columbia Lions | 3 | 4 | 1920, 1924 , 1936, 1952 | 1920 | 1952 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 10 | Northwestern University | Northwestern Wildcats | 3 | 4 | 1948, 1952, 1956 | 1948 | 1956 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | El Camino College | | 3 | 3 | 1952, 1964 | 1952 | 1964 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | California State University, Fullerton | Cal State Fullerton Titans | 1 | 2 | 1980$^*$, 1984 | 1980$^*$ | 1984 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 13 | University of Michigan | Michigan Wolverines | 2 | 2 | 1924 , 1928 | 1924 | 1928 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 13 | Saint Mary's College of California | Saint Mary's Gaels | 1 | 2 | 1924 , 1928 | 1924 | 1928 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 15 | University of the Pacific | Pacific Tigers | 2 | 2 | 2000, 2016 | 2000 | 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | University of Illinois | Illinois Fighting Illini | 2 | 2 | 1920 | 1920 | 1920 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | University of Arizona | Arizona Wildcats | 1 | 1 | 1984 | 1984 | 1984 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin | Wisconsin Badgers | 1 | 1 | 1920 | 1920 | 1920 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Fordham University | Fordham Rams | 1 | 1 | 1928 | 1928 | 1928 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | University of Iowa | Iowa Hawkeyes | 1 | 1 | 1928 | 1928 | 1928 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | DePaul University | DePaul Blue Demons | 1 | 1 | 1956 | 1956 | 1956 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | San Jose State University | San Jose State Spartans | 1 | 1 | 1980$^*$ | 1980$^*$ | 1980$^*$ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Rk | Name | Team | Number | Times | Year | Debut | Last | Edition | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| Rk | College | College | Players | Players | Games | Games | Games | Games | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | | Ref |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.

### Water polo families
#### Brothers

The three McIlroy brothers (Paul, Chick and Ned) were all members of the 1964 United States men's Olympic water polo team.
The Kooistra brothers (Bill and Sam) played for the United States in water polo at the 1956 Olympics. Jeff Campbell competed alongside his elder brother, Peter, at the 1988 Olympics.
| Relation- ship | Family | Name | Pos | Birthdate | Games | Age | Note |
| Three brothers | McIlroy | Chick McIlroy | D/CF | Aug 1, 1938 | 1960 | 22 years, 25 days | |
| Three brothers | McIlroy | Paul McIlroy | FP | May 12, 1937 | 1964 | 27 years, 152 days | Three brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Three brothers | McIlroy | Chick McIlroy | D/CF | Aug 1, 1938 | 1964 | 26 years, 71 days | Three brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Three brothers | McIlroy | Ned McIlroy | FP | Jul 26, 1939 | 1964 | 25 years, 77 days | Three brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Two brothers | Kooistra | Bill Kooistra | FP | Aug 26, 1926 | 1952 | 25 years, 334 days | |
| Two brothers | Kooistra | Bill Kooistra | FP | Aug 26, 1926 | 1956 | 30 years, 94 days | Two brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Two brothers | Kooistra | Sam Kooistra | FP | Aug 18, 1935 | 1956 | 21 years, 102 days | Two brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Two brothers | Campbell | Peter Campbell | CF | May 21, 1960 | 1984 | 24 years, 72 days | |
| Two brothers | Campbell | Peter Campbell | CF/U | May 21, 1960 | 1988 | 28 years, 123 days | Two brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Two brothers | Campbell | Jeff Campbell | CB | Oct 2, 1962 | 1988 | 25 years, 355 days | Two brothers in an Olympic tournament |
| Two brothers | Campbell | Jeff Campbell | CB | Oct 2, 1962 | 1992 | 29 years, 304 days | |
| Two brothers | Vargas | Joe Vargas | D | Oct 4, 1955 | 1980$^*$ | 24 years, 290 days | |
| Two brothers | Vargas | Joe Vargas | D | Oct 4, 1955 | 1984 | 28 years, 302 days | |
| Two brothers | Vargas | John Vargas | D | Jun 17, 1961 | 1992 | 31 years, 45 days | |
| Two brothers | Vargas | John Vargas | Coach | Jun 17, 1961 | 2000 | 39 years, 98 days | |
$^*$Qualified but withdrew.
Tony van Dorp, a Dutch-American goalkeeper, competed in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics for the United States. His younger brother, Fred, was a Dutch field player, and played against his brother at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
| Relation- ship | Family | Country represented | Name | Pos | Birthdate | Games | Age | Note |
| Two brothers | van Dorp | Netherlands | Fred van Dorp | FP | Oct 13, 1938 | 1960 | 21 years, 318 days | |
| Two brothers | van Dorp | United States | Tony van Dorp | GK | Jun 25, 1936 | 1964 | 28 years, 110 days | NED 6–4 USA (Oct 13, 1964) |
| Two brothers | van Dorp | Netherlands | Fred van Dorp | FP | Oct 13, 1938 | 1964 | 26 years, 0 days | NED 6–4 USA (Oct 13, 1964) |
| Two brothers | van Dorp | United States | Tony van Dorp | GK | Jun 25, 1936 | 1968 | 32 years, 121 days | USA 6–3 NED (Oct 24, 1968) |
| Two brothers | van Dorp | Netherlands | Fred van Dorp | FP | Oct 13, 1938 | 1968 | 30 years, 11 days | USA 6–3 NED (Oct 24, 1968) |

#### Father-son

| Relation- ship | Family | Name | Pos | Birthdate | Games | Age | Note |
| Father and son(s) | Saari | Urho Saari | Head coach | | 1952 | | |
| Father and son(s) | Saari | Urho Saari | Asst. coach | | 1960 | | |
| Father and son(s) | Saari | Urho Saari | Head coach | | 1964 | | Father and son in an Olympic tournament |
| Father and son(s) | Saari | Bob Saari | FP | Jun 7, 1948 | 1964 | 16 years, 126 days | Father and son in an Olympic tournament |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Ricardo Azevedo | Asst. coach | Aug 24, 1956 | 1996 | 39 years, 331 days | |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Tony Azevedo | D | Nov 21, 1981 | 2000 | 18 years, 307 days | |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Ricardo Azevedo | Asst. coach | Aug 24, 1956 | 2004 | 47 years, 357 days | Father and son in an Olympic tournament |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Tony Azevedo | D | Nov 21, 1981 | 2004 | 22 years, 268 days | Father and son in an Olympic tournament |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Tony Azevedo | D | Nov 21, 1981 | 2008 | 26 years, 263 days | |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Tony Azevedo | D | Nov 21, 1981 | 2012 | 30 years, 251 days | |
| Father and son(s) | Azevedo | Tony Azevedo | D | Nov 21, 1981 | 2016 | 34 years, 259 days | |

#### Father-daughter

| Relation- ship | Family | Name | Pos | Birthdate | Games | Age | Note |
| Father and daughter(s) | Fischer | Erich Fischer | CB/U | Mar 12, 1966 | 1992 | 26 years, 142 days | |
| Father and daughter(s) | Fischer | Makenzie Fischer | CB | Mar 29, 1997 | 2016 | 19 years, 133 days | Two sisters in an Olympic tournament |
| Father and daughter(s) | Fischer | Aria Fischer | CF | Mar 2, 1999 | 2016 | 17 years, 160 days | Two sisters in an Olympic tournament |