LeBron James To Carry U.S. Flag At Opening Ceremonies for Summer Olympics
Los Angeles Lakers Star Leads Team USA as Games Start in Paris
Add another honor to LeBron James’ amazing career. The Los Angeles Lakers star will carry the United States flag at Friday’s opening ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, making him the LeBron Olympic flagbearer.
This is forever 👑
🇺🇸 @KingJames will lead the 592-member @TeamUSA delegation at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony! pic.twitter.com/dCONXrgyec
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 22, 2024
Announcing the honor before the team played , USA Basketball prepared for its final game on Monday before aiming for its fifth straight gold medal. The USA last failed to win gold in 2004.
James came off another important effort for USA Basketball, making a hoop with eight seconds left on Saturday to help the U.S. avoid a national basketball embarrassment. USA Basketball entered the game as 43½-point favorites and needed the basket to escape with a 101-100 victory.
Despite the great history of USA Basketball, no player has ever carried the flag at the opening ceremonies, cementing LeBron as the Olympic flagbearer.
Just a kid from Akron leading his country at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
🇺🇸 @KingJames x #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/bcvcVj6o9U
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 22, 2024
LeBron Olympic Flagbearer: USA’s Betting Favorites and James’ Historic Honor
The USA enters the tournament as a heavy sports betting favorite. One has to wonder if the lackluster play in a couple of tuneups stems from their nature as exhibitions rather than the real deal with the path to gold on the line. Keep an eye on sports betting odds if the U.S. fails to show dominance.
James adds this honor to a career full of them. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him first in the 2003 NBA draft straight out of high school.
He has played for three teams, including Cleveland twice. James is a four-time NBA champion. He is always in the debate for the Olympics opening ceremony, solidifying his status as the LeBron Olympic flagbearer.
| Award | Years / Times |
|---|---|
| NBA Champion | 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020 |
| NBA Finals Most Valuable Player | 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020 |
| NBA Most Valuable Player | 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| NBA All-Star | 2005-2024 (20×) |
| NBA All-Star Game MVP | 2006, 2008, 2018 |
| All-NBA Selection | 20× |
| NBA All-Defensive Selection | 6× |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | 2004 |
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 2004 |
| NBA Scoring Leader | 2008 |
| NBA Assists Leader | 2020 |
| J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award | 2017 |
| NBA Cup Winner | 2023 |
| NBA Cup Most Valuable Player | 2023 |
| NBA Cup All-Tournament Team |
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