Here’s how the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team warmed up before an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi: Stephen Curry started with a layup, followed by Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, and Derrick White, with Devin Booker sinking a short jumper. Each shot drew some cheers from the crowd.
But when LeBron James took the ball, the arena erupted into even louder cheers, reaching a peak when he dunked. “He’s still LeBron,” remarked U.S. assistant coach Erik Spoelstra.
At 39 years old, entering his 22nd pro season, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and soon to be the first men’s player to compete in three Olympic decades, he remains LeBron.
That’s precisely why USA Basketball was eager to have him on the team heading to the Paris Olympics later this month. His presence significantly boosts their chances of winning a fifth consecutive gold medal.
“Once I got the clearance from Savannah James—she’s the one I needed approval from to give up my summer to play basketball at 39 years old,” James said, referring to his wife. “After I got her approval, I didn’t need much convincing.”
Especially not after last summer.
James observed the U.S. World Cup team last summer in the Philippines. They had 12 NBA players, but not all with the same level of experience as those on the Olympic roster. The team struggled and finished fourth, which disappointed him.
He took action. James began reaching out to players, like Curry, to gauge their interest in playing in Paris. His goal was to show the world that the U.S. is still a strong basketball nation. Fortunately, he didn’t have to persuade many.
“He was the first person I spoke with last fall about whether I wanted to do this,” said Curry, who will be competing in his first Olympics. “From there, it was like, ‘Let’s do it.’”
