LeBron James Adds Another Accolade To His Hall-of-Fame Résumé
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James is making more history at age 39.
On July 22, Team USA announced that he will be one of the flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris later this week.
“Definitely being a kid, we all come from different walks of life, different cities, different upbringings,” James said in a video following the announcement. “I think the last thing on our mind, whoever have, is carrying a flag representing our country during the Olympics. So it was never a thought, it was never a dream, but it’s an absolute honor.”
James will be the first men’s basketball player ever to carry the flag for the United States. Additionally, he will be the first basketball player to do so since Sue Bird did it for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“Team USA has given so much to all of us, to me over the last 20 years, and understand right now in a country that’s so divided, I hope this moment and that moment will unite us or bring us together,” James said in the video. “Even for those split seconds or those hours that we’re traveling across that water in Paris. So I will hold that responsibility with much honor and just say appreciate it once again.”
Flag-bearing aside, James has already established himself as one of the most decorated Olympian basketball players ever. Before this summer, he has participated in three Olympic games. James was part of a bronze medal effort in Athens in 2004, the storied gold medal-winning “Redeem Team” in Beijing in 2008, and a second gold medal run in London in 2012.
James currently sits third on the all-time Olympic scoring list for the United States men’s national team, with 273 points entering this summer’s games. Carmelo Anthony, who is second on that list, finished his Olympic career with 336 points. This makes James 63 points away from taking Anthony’s second-place spot.
Given how much talent Team USA’s roster has this time around, with multiple-time NBA champions like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Jrue Holiday in the lineup, it is unlikely James will pass Anthony’s mark.
How Has LeBron James Performed In Exhibition Games So Far?
In Team USA’s five pre-Olympic exhibition games, much of the offense has come from different faces on the roster each night. With so many scoring options, James has only had two games where he overpowered the box score.
In game one against Canada, James finished with seven points, five rebounds, and three assists. Against Australia, in Team USA’s second game, he had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The United States’ third exhibition game against Serbia saw James reach double figures for a second consecutive game, finishing with 11 points and two assists. Exhibition game four against South Sudan was James’ game for the taking, as he dominated every aspect of the box score with 25 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in a tight 101-100 United States win.
In Team USA’s final exhibition game against Germany, James did it down the stretch for the Americans again, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists in another close 92-88 win.
James and Team USA now head into Paris undefeated, having won all their exhibition games in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and London. James will compete for his third gold medal following his 21st season in the NBA this past year, working alongside fellow Team USA superstars to defend the United States’ legacy on the international stage.
Team USA takes on Serbia in its first glimpse of official Group C play at 11:15 a.m. EST on July 28 on NBC.
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