LeBron James beams with pride as he becomes first male basketball player to carry the USA flag at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony
Team USA superstar LeBron James will make history on Friday after being announced as the first basketball male players to carry the country’s flag at 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony. Flag bearers have been a symbol of national pride at the Olympics for nearly as long as the Games have been running.
James, two-time Olympic champion who led USA Basketball to gold medals in 2008 and 2012, has been chosen by his fellow Team USA athletes to be the flag bearer for the prestigious sporting event.
“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.”
James, who's going to turn 40 in five months, heads to Paris for his fourth Olympic appearance, a feat only he, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony have achieved for USA men's basketball. The NBA superstar also boasts an impressive Olympic record, ranking third all-time in scoring for the U.S. with 273 points. He also led his team to gold at the 2007 FIBA Tournament of the Americas.
LeBron James ready for send off in final friendly before the Olympics
With just six days left until the Group C fixtures tip off, Lebron James & the Team USA will be able to enter the Paris Olympics on a positive note if they pass the job of beating world champions Germany on Monday.
James continued his great form, rescuing Team USA with clutch layup with 8 seconds left in securing a vital win against newcomer South Sudan on Saturday. However, Germany will be the underdogs for the Olympics, but they do have the squad quality to progress far into the competition.
With LeBron James leading the line, the USABMNT have a world class player that can guarantee them a point at anytime as long as the service is provided. The national side will want to prove to the big guns in the Olympics that they don’t rely on the LA Lakers superstar though, despite him averaging double-digit scoring during the pre-olympic games. They have been on a good run during the exhibition games, so the confidence and spirit within the squad should be high.