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Basketball legend LeBron James has been selected as Team USA’s men’s flag bearer at the 2024 Olympic Games. James, who was given the responsibility through a vote by fellow Olympians, is the first male basketball player to serve as an Olympic flag bearer.
LeBron and the rest of Team USA will begin their 2024 Olympics campaign on Sunday, July 28, with a matchup against Serbia in Lille, France. Those will then be followed by games against South Sudan — who almost beat Team USA in an exhibition match over the weekend — on July 31 and Puerto Rico on August 3.
Leading the way for Team USA. 🇺🇸
Two-time Olympic gold medalist @KingJames has been selected as our men's flag bearer for the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/NN4NLWwwfc
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 22, 2024
“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 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.”
In addition to the 39-year-old James, the Team USA roster headed to France includes guards Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), and Derrick White (Boston Celtics) — forwards Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) — and centers Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers).
Following the embarrassment of winning the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, the Team USA men’s basketball team has won the gold medal at four consecutive Olympic games: 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, and 2021 in Tokyo.
Team USA’s woman flag-bearer will be announced Tuesday, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Women’s basketball players basketball players Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2021) previously served as flag bearers for Team USA.