LeBron James Won’t Play In 2028 Olympics

NBA legend LeBron James told Craig Melvin of TODAY that he won’t play in the 2028 Olympics.

The 2028 Olympics will be in Los Angeles. 

“No, I won’t be there,” LeBron said. “I’m getting the hell out of that city when the Olympics come to Los Angeles. All right, I’ll live there all year. I will not be in Los Angeles in ‘28. I’m getting out of there.”

LeBron is playing in this year’s Olympics, which are being held in Paris. The Los Angeles Lakers star is a two-time (2008, 2012) Olympic gold medalist.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers in 2023-24 in 71 games while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He’s arguably the best player in NBA history. 

A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers.

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

LeBron was voted the top national team player in camp in a straw poll of Olympic camp participants conducted by Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic. 

“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 wing Amen Thompson said. 

“You feel and see his presence on the court,” Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “You see exactly what he’s doing, the way he’s communicating, the way he’s talking, getting guys in position. There’s a level of focus on the seriousness of understanding the moment that he just continues to show.”