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Yes, LeBron James is back for Team USA! The Lakers forward has been on the roster for over 20 years. Despite securing three Olympic medals, James has not made an appearance in the Olympics since 2012. Now that James is part of the roster, it’s indeed a happy moment for Americans. And, a proud one for a WNBA star who has something to share.

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In a recent interview with Desert Wave, A’ja Wilson was asked, “LeBron coming back from the men’s side, can you just talk about how special this year is going to be for USA basketball?” Immediately, a proud Wilson replied, “it’s going to be fun.” She added, “USAB is always the standard but obviously when you have a loaded list…it’s going to be a lot of eyes on there.

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The current USA roster, featuring Stephen Curry and LeBron James, is coming together after years, thanks to the longevity of ‘King’.  Not only this, but the Men’s squad boasts an impressive 10 Olympic golds in 11 Olympic appearances. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I know they are ready to compete the same way we are. Obviously, our legacy is something that we take a lot of pride in because since ’96… we’re all going to compete for gold,” Wilson added.

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Over the last 19 Olympic games, the USA men’s basketball squad has been among the most successful, with sixteen gold medals. One silver and 2 bronze medals as well. For the upkeep of the aforementioned performance, James before heading to Las Vegas training camp talked about his dedication. “But if I’m committed — which I am — to Team USA, then I’m going to commit my mind, body, and soul to being out there for Team USA, representing our country with the utmost respect and going out there and playing,” James told Olympics.com. But, what is the reason for James’ longevity?

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James’ extreme consciousness

To spectators’ surprise, the vital reason for his absence from the USA’s Olympic roster was “King’s dedication to his physical health.” As per Olympics.com’s reports, James pays out millions per year for his diet, recovery, and training process. Too conscious about his time on the court, James as of now averages 35.3 minutes per game.

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Notably, this season’s average is the second lowest of his career. All these preparations King does are for his fourth Olympic games as he believes resting would be invaluable for the national team. “In a couple of months I’ve got to go to [Las] Vegas for training camp,” he explained.

Above all, James knows that his score of 273 points in the Olympics in 24 games will be highly beneficial for his country. Now that he is on the team alongside Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis, how will Team USA performs is what the spectators are waiting for.

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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.

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Written by

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Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Deepali Verma

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