Why will LeBron James not be allowed to don the #23 jersey for Team USA? FIBA kit rules and more explored
LeBron James. Team USA. Basketball glory. We've seen this iconic combination before, with LeBron leading the charge in the red, white, and blue.
As LeBron is preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, the two-time Olympic Gold medalist won't be sporting his signature #23 for the national team and will switch to his iconic #6 because of an old Team USA tradition.
Why LeBron James can't wear the #23 jersey for Team USA?
The answer lies not in some dramatic falling out but in the rulebook. FIBA used to have smaller numbers available to wear, which were assigned between the range of 4 to 15, unlike the NBA, where players can wear jersey numbers between 0 to 99. After 2018, FIBA updated its rulebook to allow players to wear jersey numbers ranging from 0 to 99.
However, Team USA kept the tradition of wearing 4 to 15 and won't change it in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. This restriction is the primary reason why LeBron will be switching to #6 for the Summer Olympics.
Meanwhile, James is no stranger to the No. 6 LeBron wore it during his time with the Miami Heat 2010-14, winning two NBA championships while in South Beach. Moreover, LeBron has worn the #6 in the past for international competitions with Team USA in 2008 and in the 2012 Olympics, where he helped Team USA win gold.
Other prominent NBA players who wore the #6 jersey for Team USA before Lebron James
NBA legends have worn the #6 for Team USA before LeBron James. Among them, the most prominent is one of his former teammates, Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade -- who wore the #6 for the 2004 Olympics Games, where Team USA won bronze.
The late great Bill Russell wore #6 as part of a legendary squad in the 1956 Summer Olympics, that featured other basketball icons like K.C. Jones and Jim Walsh. They wetre the only team to win four straight gold medals.
Among recent players who have worn the iconic #6 jersey are DeAndre Jordan and Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Damian Lillard, who wore the number in the Rio Olympics and FIBA World Championships respectively.
LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Team USA players share warm greetings in heartwarming video
LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are among the NBA superstars featured in a heartwarming video.
As Team USA gears up to prepare for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, basketball fans saw the camaraderie and respect between players during the four-day training camp in Las Vegas.
The USA national team's X (formerly Twitter) account posted a video of the stars greeting each other on arrival at the camp. In the video, players and also coach Tyronn Lue are seen embracing each other.
The USA's 2024 Paris Olympics roster also includes Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker.
Unlike previous rosters that lacked star power, this year's Team USA includes bonafide NBA superstars who have committed to winning the basketball glory for Team USA after their dreadful performance in the FIBA World Cup 2023, where they finished fourth.
Team USA will aim for a fifth consecutive gold medal and continue their winning streak on the Olympic stage.