LeBron James: Team USA icon ‘can’t see’ himself playing at another Olympics ahead of Los Angeles Games in 2028
By Ben Southby
Published 11/08/2024 at 08:19 GMT+1
LeBron James does not believe he will play at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, despite it being a home Games for the four-time NBA champion. The 39-year-old claimed his third gold medal on Saturday with victory over France to become the only player to be an Olympic champion in three separate decades. "Four years from now, no, I can't see myself [playing at the next Olympics]," he admitted.
'Legends on top of the world again' - LeBron, Curry and USA celebrate winning basketball gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
LeBron James says he “can’t see” himself playing at another Olympic Games, suggesting that his Team USA career is over.
The basketball star helped lead the United States to a fifth consecutive gold medal at Paris 2024 on Saturday with a thrilling 98-87 win against hosts France.
James scored 14 points in the final at the Bercy Arena, while Steph Curry shone with 24 points and Kevin Durant and Devin Booker added 15 each.
The 39-year-old has now won three gold medals to add to the bronze he sealed on his debut at the Athens Games in 2004 – winning a medal in all of his Olympics appearances.
In addition to Athens, James competed at the Beijing Games in 2008 and London 2012, but the Olympics in Paris looks to be his last.
The legendary player seems to have called time on his international career, with Los Angeles 2028 – a home Games for Team USA – too far away.
"No, I can't see myself playing in LA, but I also didn't see myself playing in Paris,” James said after the USA’s victory on Saturday.
"Four years from now, no, I can't see myself [playing at the next Olympics].”
The next Games in LA are close to home for James, the same city where he has played his domestic basketball since 2018 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Watch as Curry sinks unbelievable three-pointer and goes wild as USA seal gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
James began his playing career in 2003 and has become an NBA icon, representing teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat as well as the Lakers.
He is a four-time NBA champion and has won eight MVP accolades in a glittering career.
James was just 19 when he made his Olympic debut in the Greek capital but spent most of his time on the bench.
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USA came away without gold for the first time since involving active NBA players in the team, and James felt he was hard done by to have such little game time.
But he returned to the Olympics to win the gold medal at the next two Games to kickstart a dominant era for the Americans.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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