LeBron James Becames First Male Basketball Player To Be U.S.A Olympic Flag Bearer

Four-time NBA Champion LeBron James will make history Friday in Paris by being chosen as the U.S. Olympic flag bearer, the first male basketball player in American history. Female basketball players Sue Bird and Dawn Staley previously earned flag bearer honors as the women’s holder.

After being chosen, James released a statement:

“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James said. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians, and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”

Members of the U.S. Olympic team chose the flag-bearer, and James’ countrymen gave him the honor in what should be his fourth and final Olympics, capping off an illustrious international career. The Los Angeles Laker will compete in his fourth international games in Paris, attempting to win his third gold medal and first since 2012. With 373 points, he is third in all-time scoring in U.S.A. basketball, behind Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.

James joined this iteration of the Olympic team due to his age, 39, but also to put American basketball back at the top of the world. Although the Americans won gold in Tokyo, the rest of the world has made up ground on the U.S. in the last three years. In 2023, the Yanks did not reach the podium at the FIBA World Basketball championship, losing to Germany in the semi-finals and Canada in the third place game.

The United States brings a star-studded group to France and is the odds-on favorite to win gold for the fifth Olympics in a row, sitting at -500 according to Hard Rock Bet.