LeBron James makes big announcement on LA Olympics participation after being named MVP of Paris Games

PARIS, FRANCE: LeBron James made a shocking announcement after helping the men's US basketball to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 10.

After grabbing the gold and Olympics MVP award, the 39-year-old legendary basketball player responded to the possibility of him representing the country at the next Olympics in Los Angeles.

Defending their Olympic championship for a fifth consecutive time, the US men's basketball team defeated France 98-87. The team's entry to the finals was from a narrow touch-and-go semifinal against Serbia just two days before facing the host country's team.

What did LeBron James say after gold medal victory in Paris?

When asked if he would play at the 2028 Games, LeBron James said, "No, I can't see myself playing in LA, but I also didn't see myself playing in Paris," as per Reuters.

"Four years from now, no, I can't see myself (playing at the Olympics)."

At the time of the 2028 Olympics, on US soil, the Los Angeles Lakers star would be 43 years old.

James, who is hailed as one of basketball's greatest players, recorded 14 points, six rebounds, ten assists, and two steals against France.

With the Paris victory, James now is the recipient of three Olympic golds. He helped the team to victory in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. He was also part of the US team in the 2004 Athen Olympics, winning a bronze medal.

LeBron James named 2024 Olympics MVP

LeBron James was named the MVP of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after his average of 14.2 points on 66% shooting in the tournament, with 8.5 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game.

The Olympics MVP award started in 2004 at the Athens Games and has been handed out thrice since then. The first recipient was Argentina's  Manu Ginobili. However, it was not part of the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games. USA's  Kevin Durant won it at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

James achieved the fourth triple-double in Olympic history with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists during the US' semifinal win over Serbia. He is the sole player to have achieved a triple-double at the Olympics multiple times, the first against Australia in 2012.

Being the offensive engine of the team, he was the point guard and main ball handler through the 2024 Olympics.

In light of his announcement that he might not be part of the team in 2028, the Paris victory could perhaps be James' last Olympic gold and MVP award.