Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is one of the best NBA players in the league’s history. James’ four NBA championships, NBA Finals MVPs, and NBA MVPs, along with his 20 NBA All-Stars, make him an established small forward and power forward since 2003. James, 39, was drafted with the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2003 NBA Draft out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.
LeBron’s son, Bronny, was drafted with the 55th overall pick by the Lakers at the 2024 NBA Draft. Like his father, Bronny was born in Akron, Ohio, but played college basketball at USC from 2023-24 and averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes in USC’s final 25 games in 2024.
James will turn 40 on December 30, 2024. But, until then, James’ recent statement that the 2024 Summer Olympics will be his last has generated mixed emotions. Read on for more details.
LeBron James’ Final Olympics Appearance
LeBron James recently became a part of the first active father-and-son duo in NBA history after his son, Bronny, was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers on June 27, 2024.
But, when asked about competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, James told the Bleacher Report, “I won’t be there.”
LeBron’s recent words to the Bleacher Report have generated mixed emotions ranging from folks creating memes to speculating he’ll get Bronny a roster spot for Team USA. It’s unclear why LeBron said the 2024 Olympics would be his last, but there’s a chance he wants to protect his physical health, as he’s almost 40 years old.
What the 2024 Olympics Would Mean for LeBron James
LeBron James will compete in the 2024 Olympics as his “last hurrah,” but he’ll also add a first to his Olympics record books. He previously competed in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Beijing, China, and London, United Kingdom, respectively.
This summer, James will take the floor with fellow star players Steph Curry and Kevin Durant for the first time in international play to represent the United States. James, Curry, and Durant are a trio of NBA stars in their late 30s but have never played together abroad. Curry played with Durant during their gold medal runs in the 2010 and 2014 World Championships, while James and Durant won gold medals at the 2012 Olympics.
Despite being longtime rivals, Curry admitted to ESPN there was a possibility of teaming up with James.
Curry told ESPN, “He was the first person I talked to … ‘Would this be something I would want to do?’ And from there it was like, ‘Let’s get it.'”
And, despite a 15-year NBA tenure with the Golden State Warriors thus far, Curry will prepare for his Olympic debut, which he described as “really cool.”
LeBron James Would Compete in Another Olympic Sport
Believe it or not, LeBron James would compete in another Olympic sport if he had the chance.
James told TODAY’s Craig Melvin in an exclusive interview, “I would — man, the four-by-one relay, man — track and field … Yeah, I want to be anchor, for sure, I want to finish it off the right way.”
James, 39, has done pretty much anything that can be done at the highest level of basketball but reportedly felt the need to return to the 2024 Olympics due to timing, as he feels like he still has a lot to give back to Team USA, who gave a lot to him over the years. So, no matter what happens, James’ legacy on and off the court will live on.
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