How old is LeBron James? Age, stats, more for L.A. Lakers star at 2024 Paris Olympics
For the first time since 2012, LeBron James will participate in the Olympics.
Along with fellow NBA and Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant, the current Los Angeles Lakers star will be making his fourth appearance in the Summer Games at the 2024 Paris Olympics — the most for any USA basketball player. James is the all-time leader in scoring in NBA history and has won four NBA championships.
The former Cleveland Cavalier and Miami Heat star earned a bronze medal in Athens 2004 and two gold medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. He was a vital member of the 2008 and 2012 gold medal teams, featuring the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, including the 2008 team. The former of those teams earned the nickname of the "Redeem Team," a spinoff of the nickname for the "Dream Team" Olympic team in 1992.
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James is featured prominently in the U.S. Olympic men’s career record books: He is first in assists (88), tied for second for games played (24), third in points (273), fourth in rebounds (95), tied for third in steals (36), tied for fourth in 3-pointers made (22); third field goals made (113) and tied for sixth in blocks (10).
James was named a 2024 USA Men's National Team member on April 17. Here's what you need to know about James' age and Olympic stats:
LeBron James age
James was born on Dec. 30, 1984, making him 39 during the 2024 Paris Olympics. James ― who will be in his age-40 season next NBA season ― was the oldest active player in the NBA during the 2023-24 season.
He was part of the 2003 NBA Draft class, which included Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. James, Wade, and Bosh teamed up for the Miami Heat from 2010-14, winning two championships. In June, the Lakers drafted James' son ― Bronny James ― with the 55th overall pick. They could become the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA game together.
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LeBron James at Team USA training camp
Despite being 39 years old, according to a survey by The Athletic, James was voted the best player on the court by his peers during Team USA training camp. James received five votes from his peers. Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards and Jrue Holiday each got two votes, while Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Bam Adebayo each received one.
“That’s what I told my brother after the first day, I was like, dude’s 40 and he’s the best player on the court,” Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson said.
Thompson received a vote because he participated in camp as a select team member. Meanwhile, 17-year-old phenom and future Duke Blue Devil Cooper Flagg got the most votes among select team members, with nine.
LeBron James stats at the Olympics
James skipped out on the Rio Olympics in 2016 and did not play in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — which were pushed back, to 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He helped lead the USA to 8-0 finishes and gold medals in 2008 and 2012. He was on the 2004 Team USA roster that went 5-3 and finished with the bronze medal.
The 2008 team was nicknamed the "Redeem Team" after a worse-than-expected performance in the 2004 Olympics. The team, which also featured Bryant (a captain), Chris Paul, Wade, Bosh, Anthony Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Jason Kidd, and Deron Williams, among others, went 5-0 in a group stage play and then defeated Australia, Argentina, and Spain in the tournament to reclaim gold.
Here's a look at James' stats during the three Olympics he has played in:
2004: 5.4 points per game, 1.6 assists, 1.0 rebounds, 0.8 steals on 59.4% shooting in 11.5 minutes in eight games
2008: 15.5 points per game, 3.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 1.0 block on 60,2% shooting in 24.8 minutes in eight games
2012: 13.3 points per game, 5.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 0.3 blocks on 60.3% shooting in 25.0 minutes in eight games
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: LeBron James age: What to know of Lakers star amid 2024 Paris Olympics
