LeBron James is set to serve as a U.S. flagbearer during the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on Friday, making him the first men’s basketball player to receive the honor.
James, who is representing Team USA at the Olympics for the fourth time, was nominated for the prestigious position by teammate Steph Curry and chosen by his fellow Olympians.
“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 Monday in a statement.
“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, 39, becomes the third U.S. basketball player to be chosen as the flagbearer. Dawn Staley received the honor in Athens in 2004 and Sue Bird did the same at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The Tokyo Games marked the first time the International Olympic Committee invited participating National Olympic Committees to select both a male and a female flagbearer. This year’s U.S. female flagbearer is yet to be announced.
James competed in his first Olympics in 2004 as a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team that disappointed en route to a bronze medal, then won gold with Team USA in 2008 and 2012.
This summer’s Olympics are the Los Angeles Lakers star’s first since 2012.
“He has represented what it means to be excellent both on and off the court in his commitment to service and to uplifting the community in all ways that he knows how,” Curry said in his nomination for James. “And the work speaks for itself.”
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time Finals champion, helps headline a star-powered but older U.S. team that is competing for its fifth consecutive gold medal and its 17th in 20 Olympic appearances.
Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum are among the others on the roster.
James’ layup with eight seconds remaining in Saturday’s exhibition against South Sudan, a 43.5-point underdog, clinched a come-from-behind 101-100 victory as the U.S. avoided what would have been an all-time epic upset.
The U.S. is scheduled to begin the group phase of Olympic play against Nikola Jokić-led Serbia on Sunday in Lille, France.
