Every USA Olympics flag bearer since 1908, now starring LeBron James

Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images

LeBron is the first men’s basketball player to carry the flag for USA.

LeBron James is set to make history at the Paris Olympics by being the first U.S. men’s basketball player to be a flag bearer at the games.

This marks the third time in history a basketball player has been a flag bearer at the games, with Sue Bird carrying the flag during the opening ceremony of the 2020 games in Tokyo, while Dawn Staley had the duty at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

These games are special for LeBron, as they’ll almost assuredly be his last. A four-time Olympian, he represented the United States in 2004, 2008, and 2012 — but missed the 2016 and 2020 games to focus on the NBA. Now at the age of 39 there’s a very good chance he won’t be playing for the national team in 2028, and the significance of the moment isn’t lost on LeBron.

“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. “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.”

The Paris games mark a chance for Team USA to make a major statement. Much of the talk has been around how the world is catching up in basketball, and that the United States’ dominance has ended after a 4th place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but the NBA’s best have all come to play this games to establish the pecking order in global basketball.

Here’s how LeBron slots in with every U.S. flag bearer in the past.