Paris Olympics: LeBron James to serve as Team USA flag bearer

The first of two flagbearers for the U.S. Olympic team has been announced.

NBA superstar LeBron James will carry the U.S. Flag representing Team USA during the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday.

This is the fourth Olympics for James. He won a bronze medal with USA Basketball in 2004 when he was 19 years old, and gold twice, in 2008 and again in 2012.

“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,” he said in a statement. “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.”

“We are thrilled to announce LeBron James as one of two flag bearers who will lead Team USA in the Opening Ceremony, and officially open the Paris 2024 Games,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said. “Being selected by your teammates to carry the flag is a tremendous honor – and a testament to LeBron’s passion for Team USA and his dedication to his sport. We will watch with great pride as the flag bearers lead our athletes who are about to embark on a remarkable journey together.”

He was nominated to carry the flag by teammate Stephen Curry.

In the video nominating James, Curry said, “We understand how much of an honor it is to be in that position, and I think Bron’s entire career, on and off the court, speak for itself of him being worthy of that honor,” the “Today” show reported.

Curry told James he was the one selected.

The female flag bearer will be announced on Tuesday.

James is the first men’s basketball player to be selected to be a U.S. flag-bearer, according to Bleacher Report. He is the third overall, after Dawn Staley in 2004 and Sue Bird in 2021.

Also on the team are Curry and Kevin Durant who are joined by the following players:

Bam Adebayo
Devin Booker
Anthony Davis
Anthony Edwards
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Haliburton
Jrue Holiday
Jayson Tatum
Derrick White

The team will be coached by Steve Kerr who is joined by assistant coaches Mark Few, Tyronn Lue and Erik Spoelstra.

Currently, USA Basketball is playing in an exhibition series in London to prep for the Olympics before they head to Paris. The men play in Lille, France, against Serbia on July 29, then they face off against South Sudan on July 31 followed by Puerto Rico on Aug. 3, the team said.

The opening ceremony will air live on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Photos: LeBron James through the years Here are some memorable photos of NBA icon LeBron James through the years. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2002: LeBron James of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School clenches his fists after making a shot against Oak Hill Academy at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center on December 12, 2002, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2003: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets take a breather as the wait for play to resume November 5, 2003, at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2004: LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony of the United States receive the bronze medal for men's basketball during ceremonies on August 28, 2004, during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Hall of the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2005: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts on a protective mask in his first game back since an injury to the face during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 3, 2005, at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2006: Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James arrives at the 2006 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California. (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2007: Co-host LeBron James arrives onstage in a throne during the 2007 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 11, 2007, in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2008: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James of the United States celebrate during the medal ceremony after defeating Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game during Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 24, 2008, in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2009: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers gets to the basket for a first-quarter dunk while playing the Atlanta Hawks in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2010: LeBron James of the Miami Heat pose for photos during media day at the Bank United Center on September 27, 2010, in Miami. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2011: LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2011, in Miami. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2012: LeBron James of the United States celebrates winning the Men's Basketball gold medal game between the United States and Spain on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympics Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 12, 2012, in London. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2013: Rapper Jay-Z and Beyonce look over at LeBron James of the Miami Heat and the Eastern Conference during the 2013 NBA All-Star game at the Toyota Center on February 17, 2013, in Houston. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2014: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers wears an "I Can't Breathe" shirt during warmups before his game against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on December 8, 2014, in New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2015: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a play in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 26, 2015, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2016: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2016, in Miami. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2017: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates a second-half basket while playing the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena on November 1, 2017, in Cleveland, Ohio. Indiana won the game 124-107. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2018: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his three-pointer during a 104-96 win over the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center on November 29, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2019: LeBron James of the LA Lakers and Team LeBron drives to the basket against Team Giannis in the first quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2020: LeBron James of Team LeBron dunks the ball in the third quarter against Team Giannis during the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center on February 16, 2020, in Chicago. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Photos: LeBron James through the years 2021: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after his three-pointer in double overtime to lead the Lakers to a 135-129 win over the Detroit Pistonsat Staples Center on February 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Harry How/Getty Images)