As fruitful a career as LeBron James has had in his two-decade NBA career, his legacy with Team USA basketball is equally admirable. In Paris, the King will become the third men’s basketball player to grace the Olympics four times, joining Kevin Durant and his best friend Carmelo Anthony. Additionally, he has scored third most points while putting on the elusive uniform and brought wondrous honor to America.

For the longest time, he has been the beacon for future generations and is now immensely enamored among his USA peers. For those reasons, LeBron James was named as the men’s flag bearer for the upcoming summer competition. As surprising as it sounds, nobody from Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or any other historic player has ever been nominated for the honor.

“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. 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,” James said on being the Team USA flag bearer as per EssentiallySports’ Grant Afseth.

The four-time NBA champion joins a pristine list of athletes to have been on his pedestal in the past. He is just the third basketball representative to be the flag bearer, joining WNBA legend Sue Bird and prolific coach Dawn Staley. Stephen Curry, a long-time rival and now an Olympic teammate, was the person to nominate James as the flag bearer on behalf of the men’s Team USA basketball team. Famously, Michael Phelps, the most acclaimed Olympian of all time, was also the flag bearer for Team USA in 2016, which was his final dive at the competition.

Having confirmed it will be his last Olympics, it will be wholesome to witness LeBron James hoisting the American flag and leading the troops into the competition. His illustrious career makes him deserving of such an honor. And it will be a moment for the icon, etched deep in his memory forever.

The female flag bearer who will join LeBron James will be announced on Tuesday.

LeBron James Olympic legacy

Preparing for his fourth voyage, LeBron James has seen every shade of Team USA. In his debut competition, the blunderous 2004 Olympics saw Team USA win bronze. At the time, the Akron Hammer was only 19 and hardly used by then-coach Larry Brown. During the Redeem Team documentary, the 39-year-old confessed to feeling he had wasted his time.

That didn’t stop his hunt for vengeance.

With Kobe Bryant and him as the alphas, LeBron James won his first gold medal at the 2008 Olympics as the second leading scorer averaging 15.5 points per game. He returned in 2012 to double his gold medal tally, this time sharing the floor with a younger crop of basketball stars, including Kevin Durant.

Now, after a 12-year hiatus, LeBron James will be back in the biggest international competition. His spirit is singing ferociously as was made clear during his exquisite performance against South Sudan. Even though nearing 40, his standards haven’t wavered. Are you ready to witness the Olympic LeBron James once again next week? Let us know your views in the comments below.