LeBron James, a forward for Team USA, celebrated his team’s victory against France in the men’s gold medal game at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 10. On the final day of the Olympics, James, adorned with his gold medal, attended the women’s basketball gold medal game alongside his wife and daughter, having spent the previous night cheering on the USA men’s national team as they secured their gold medal.
Reflecting on what may be his final Olympic appearance, James emphasized the importance of family in his journey. “It means everything. It’s why I do it. I do it for my family,” he shared after the American team triumphed over France with a score of 98-87. He credited his wife for her support, stating, “Without her, I wouldn’t even be in this position to be able to do what I do and love the game.”
A four-time NBA champion, James has a collection of Olympic medals that includes a bronze from the 2004 Athens Games and gold from the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and now, Paris 2024. During his Olympic career, he has scored a total of 358 points. At 39 years old, James averaged 14.2 points, 8.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals during the tournament, earning Olympic MVP honors over notable teammates including Stephen Curry and international players such as Victor Wembanyama from France and Nikola Jokić from Serbia.
James expressed gratitude for the MVP award, attributing it to the team’s success. “I don’t know who the voting committee is, but I’m super-humbled that they even voted for me. It came with us winning gold, and that’s what’s more important for me,” he remarked.
He noted the global appeal of basketball, highlighting the competitiveness of various international teams and the growth of the sport. “It’s a basketball world and everybody loves the game,” he added, hoping to inspire fans worldwide.
In contrast to the U.S. team’s performance without him, where they finished fourth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, James committed to joining Team USA at the Olympics during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. His dedication encouraged other NBA stars, leading to a strong roster that included prominent players like Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum.
When asked if Paris was his best Olympic experience, James simply stated, “It’s the best one because it’s the one that’s right now.” He reminisced about the previous “Redeem Team” and the teamwork needed to assemble the current roster in a short period.
Looking ahead to the next Olympics in 2028, scheduled in Los Angeles when he will be 43, James expressed uncertainty about returning. “No, I can’t see myself playing in LA. I also didn’t see myself playing in Paris. But four years from now, now I can’t see it,” he concluded.