LeBron James, the forward for Team USA, celebrated his team’s triumph over France in the men’s gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at Bercy Arena on August 10.
On the final day of the Olympics, James, adorned with his gold medal, enjoyed a family outing, watching the women’s basketball gold medal game alongside his wife and daughter. Just the night before, his family was present to cheer on him and the USA men’s national basketball team as they clinched Olympic gold.
Reflecting on what could be his final Olympic experience, James expressed that his family was his primary motivation. “It means everything. It’s why I do it. I do it for my family,” he said after the Americans defeated France 98-87 for the gold medal. He emphasized his wife’s pivotal role, stating, “Without her, I wouldn’t even be in this position to be able to do what I do and love the game.”
The four-time NBA champion’s accolades include a bronze medal from the 2004 Athens Olympics and gold medals from the 2008 Beijing Games with the “Redeem Team,” the 2012 London Olympics, and now in Paris. Over four Olympic appearances, James has scored a total of 358 points and, at age 39, averaged 14.2 points, 8.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals during the tournament. He was also named the Olympic MVP, surpassing stars like Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokić.
James expressed gratitude for receiving the MVP honor, highlighting that winning gold was what mattered most. He acknowledged the global nature of basketball, noting the rising competitiveness of international teams and expressing hope that the team could inspire basketball fans worldwide.
After James’ absence in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where the U.S. team finished fourth, he reaffirmed his commitment to Team USA during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. The Olympic roster boasted commitments from 11 stars, including Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid, among others.
When asked if Paris was his best Olympic experience, James replied, “It’s the best one because it’s the one that’s right now,” while recalling the journey of forming the current team in just a month.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, James, who would be 43 at that time, seemed doubtful about participating, stating, “No, I can’t see myself playing in LA.”