LeBron James is set to compete in his fourth Olympics.
Like the previous three times, the Lakers superstar will participate in the opening ceremony.
But for the official start of the Paris Games on Friday night, James will have a role that neither he nor anyone else who has played for the U.S. men’s basketball team has held before.
James and Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis star participating in her first Olympics, were selected by their fellow American athletes as the U.S. flagbearers for the opening ceremony, which will take place in boats along the Seine toward the Eiffel Tower.
“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 in a statement Monday from London before leading the U.S. to victory over Germany in an exhibition game.
“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 NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James joins Dawn Staley (2004) and Sue Bird (2021) as the only U.S. basketball players to serve as flagbearers.
Gauff is the first tennis player to carry the flag for the Americans. She made the U.S. team for the 2021 Tokyo Games but had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19 before her flight to Japan. Since then, the Florida-based athlete has won Grand Slams in singles (2023 U.S. Open) and doubles (2024 French Open with Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic).
She is currently No. 2 in the WTA rankings and is seeded No. 2 at the Olympics. She and partner Jessica Pegula are the top seed in women’s doubles.
“I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the opening ceremony,” Gauff said Wednesday in a statement. “I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is — at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”