Top 5 LeBron James moments in France including a surprise pick
LeBron James' legendary career reaches beyond NBA borders. James’ career and public life have been full of iconic moments, some of which took place in France.
This year, he is one of the stars on the loaded Team USA roster for the Paris Olympics. With James in France's capital, let’s relive some of the most iconic moments in the country.
Top 5 LeBron James moments in France including a surprise pick
#5 LeBron James recreates iconic dunk in Paris Olympics
James is playing in his fourth Olympics. He had been part of Team USA in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. James was not part of the Olympic team in 2016 and 2020.
This year, he returned to the Paris Olympics with a purpose, to win a gold and put a statement on the world stage that the USA remains the best in the world.
In the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, in the game against Serbia, the 39-year-old slammed a dunk in the first quarter. The picture was immediately viral on the internet. It was a moment when James declared he had arrived at the Olympics after 12 years.
#4 Third Team USA player to score 300 points at the Olympics
After Team USA's win over South Sudan, LeBron James joined Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony in an elite club. He is only the third player in USA men's basketball team history to have 300-plus points at the Olympics.
In a 103-86 win against South Sudan in the group stage game, James scored 12 points. He entered the game needing only six points to reach the milestone.
#3 LeFrench moment at Le Mans
LeBron James at Le Mans was one of the biggest moments of his career. However, the fluency of the LA Lakers star became one of the iconic moments of his life.
He was handed the French Flag at the ceremony by a soldier from the French Marine Infantry Regiment. James went "LeFrench" when he addressed the drivers participating in the event in French,
"Pilotes, démarrez vos moteurs", meaning, "Drivers, start your engines."
#2 Starter for Le Mans
Last year, LeBron James was the starter for 24 Hours of Le Mans, when the motorsports event was celebrating its centenary. He officially joined legends like Rafael Nadal, Fernando Alonso, Brad Pitt and Steve McQueen to kick off one of the most iconic events in sports.
During the offseason, and while the conversation around his future in the NBA was being discussed, the LA Lakers star was offshore in France to build his legacy. The 2023 event was held on June 10 and 11 in Le Mans, France. NFL legend Tom Brady was also present.
#1 Flagbearer of Teams USA at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony
On July 26, at the Paris Olympics, LeBron James officially became the first NBA player to lead Team USA as the flagbearer for the Olympics opening ceremony. He was joined by Coco Gauff, who was the female flagbearer.
While other Team USA players wore navy blue jackets at the ceremony, James and Gauff wore a white wool blazer. Watching James at the front of the boat with the USA flag in his hands, standing firm despite the rain, created perhaps the greatest iconic moment in Team USA history. Maybe the USA finally got its real-life Captain America on July 26.