While Team USA basketball has shown some vulnerabilities in its five exhibition games over the past couple of weeks, it certainly seems to have the ability to win the gold medal at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
It won its fifth and final exhibition contest on Monday against Germany, with LeBron James again leading the way by scoring 20 points, including the team’s last 11 points. Anthony Davis also chipped in off the bench with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot.
James earned a big honor on Monday when he was named the male athlete who will carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony this Friday.
Leading the way for Team USA. 🇺🇸
Two-time Olympic gold medalist @KingJames has been selected as our men's flag bearer for the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/NN4NLWwwfc
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 22, 2024
The 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar will become only the third basketball player to bear Old Glory during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. WNBA stars Sue Bird (2021) and Dawn Staley (2004) did so in the past.
Not even the late great Kobe Bryant ever got to do so, despite his immense popularity at the 2008 Summer Games in China.
The United States will reportedly name a female athlete to bear its flag along with James on Tuesday.