Sunday, December 22, 2024

LeBron James shows off jacket for Paris Olympics opening ceremony as Team USA flag bearer

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LeBron James is back at the Summer Olympics.

And the four-time NBA MVP is all dripped out for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday, where he will lead Team USA in the parade of nations alongside tennis star Coco Gauff.

On Friday, USA Basketball tweeted a video out on X (formerly Twitter) of the two-time Olympic gold medalist getting fitted before Friday night’s opening ceremony in Paris.

2024 PARIS OLYMPICS: Meet the members of Team USA at the Summer Olympics

James, who found out he was going to be one of the United States’ flag bearers from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earlier this week, called the opportunity to lead the American delegation into the Olympics “an absolute honor.”

“It’s an absolute honor and to be able to share that moment with you guys is going to make it even more memorable. So I just appreciate it, man,” James said earlier this week at a team meeting in London after learning he was selected to be a flag bearer. “Team USA has given so much to all of us, to me over the last 20 years, and I understand right now in a country that’s so divided, I hope this moment and that moment will unite us or bring us together even for those split seconds, those hours that we travel across that water in Paris. So I will hold that responsibility with a lot of honor.”

The 2024 Paris Olympics marks a return for James to the Olympic stage, as he has not played for USA Basketball at the Summer Olympics since the 2012 London Games. While he looks to make history with another gold medal in basketball, James is making history on Friday with the opening ceremony: He is the first men’s basketball player to be a flag bearer for the United States.

Considered arguably the greatest player to have played his sport, James scored 25 points in USA Basketball’s exhibition game vs. South Sudan on July 20 in London, which included the game-winning basket in the winding seconds.

REQUIRED READING: LeBron James flag bearer: Full (sometimes controversial) history of Team USA Olympic honor

Why is LeBron James wearing a white jacket at the Olympics opening ceremony?

As one of two flag bearers for Friday’s opening ceremony — which will take place on the Seine river, compared to inside the Olympic Stadium, for the first time in Olympic history — James and Gauff have a different fit than the rest of Team USA for the opening ceremony.

While the rest of Team USA will wear a navy blue wool blazer with red and white tipping, James and Gauff will wear a white wool blazer with red and blue tipping.

Here’s a look at James’ outfit for the opening ceremony:

Here’s a look at what other members of Team USA will be wearing Friday:

Either way, James, Gauff and everyone on Team USA are sure to stand out during Friday’s parade of nations.

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