LeBron James, a Los Angeles Lakers superstar and Team USA forward, will receive the honor of a lifetime in Paris as one of the United States contingent’s flagbearers, as announced by none other than Stephen Curry.
The Golden State Warriors’ sharpshooter announced during a Team USA meeting that the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player has been chosen by fellow US Olympic athletes to carry the flag in Paris. Flag bearers for the country are chosen by voting, and James clearly has the faith of the other US athletes to lead them during the procession.
Steph Curry informs LeBron James that he will carry the USA flag at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics 🇺🇲
“It’s unique in that you get to represent your country in a different way, and you realize how important this moment is. And for someone to be the flag bearer and wave the flag for, not only us as a men’s national team, but for all Olympians,” James said of his selection as flag bearer.
“I view that with the highest regard. And that was absolutely something that my family, community, and friends could remember forever. “I am extremely grateful and humble.”
LeBron James learns from Steph Curry that he will carry the USA flag at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics 🇺🇲
(via @usabasketball)
pic.twitter.com/WiQHkKWhDC— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 22, 2024
Congratulations to LeBron James on being chosen as Team USA’s Men’s flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony! 🙏
James will not be alone in his flag-bearing duties; the female flagbearer will be announced on Tuesday.
Curry nominated LeBron James to be Team USA’s flagbearer on behalf of the men’s basketball team. James, 39, appears to be the ideal spokesperson for Team USA, having competed in three previous Olympics. His first journey to the Summer Games occurred two decades ago, when Team USA only managed to bring home a bronze medal from Athens.
In 2008, James and his team achieved their objective to reclaim the gold, as the Redeem Team won the Beijing event. Four years later, James added another gold medal to his collection by leading the Americans to victory in the 2012 London Games.
Despite the fact that he will turn 40 in December, LeBron James was not included to Team USA as a legacy token on a superstar-laden roster. Make no mistake, James is still one of the top players in basketball today, and he demonstrated his worth again during the Americans’ escape against South Sudan in an exhibition game in London.
"I hold that with the utmost honor."
LeBron James on being selected as Team USA's Men's flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony 🙏
(via @usabasketball)pic.twitter.com/DWDEcDLBcp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 22, 2024
In that game, James led Team USA with 25 points on 10/14 shooting from the field, including the game-winning bucket he muscled out to preserve the Americans from an embarrassing loss against the world’s 33rd-ranked team. Curry, meanwhile, started opposite James in the South Sudan game and scored 10 points, with all of his field goals coming from behind the arc.
James, Curry, and Team USA will face Germany in London on Monday for the world number one’s final tuneup contest before traveling to Paris.
After the game at Chase Center, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James exchanged greetings, sparking social media reactions.
“Congratulations LeBron for leading the US team to great success,” tweeted @gospelsongsng.
“Captain LeMERICA 🇺🇸,” wrote @RCdaGREAT.
“I’m not American, but I’m proud of my goat for completing this at 40. “Imagine the cheers🫡,” chimed in MasonFoster21.
“It’s really almost over for my goat..that farewell season will be special 🥹,” posted @J_JEEZY32.
In reply to @devpalH45: “Steph being the one to announce LeBron as the flag bearer—the bromance continues!”
@KMesh40 tweeted: “Gave me goosebumps. Congratulations, Bron. “Well deserved.”
