LeBron James has already won two Olympic gold medals, but he’s still hungry for a third.
Speaking with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill said James’ commitment to Team USA over the past few months has been inspiring to watch.
“It’s a credit to him. At this stage, with everything he’s accomplished, he wants the job. When Joel committed, LeBron texted me saying, ‘Well done,’ and he’s going to be in. Not only will he be in, but he’ll be emotionally in. I didn’t know LeBron that well. I’m a little old school. But over the past year, I’ve gotten to know him and connected with him on a deeper level. I’ve been impressed with his passion for the game, his passion for USA Basketball and his desire. This is his third year, he’s never won, you’d think he’s a hungry player. With everything he’s accomplished, he’s coming into this job like he’s never accomplished anything. And that’s part of what makes him so unique and arguably one of the greatest players of all time.”
James withdrew from the 2016 Rio Olympics to rest, and will not compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to a film role. Space Jam: New LegacyHe won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Games, and the Paris Games will be his fourth Olympic Games.
The 39-year-old James is a member of a star-studded Team USA team that also includes former NBA MVP Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid, and fans will be excited to watch James and the others lead Team USA to a fifth consecutive championship.
