Oldest players in USA Basketball history: LeBron James is primed to make history at 2024 Paris Olympics

LeBron James is back in the red, white and blue.

While James last competed in the Olympics for Team USA 12 years ago, he is make his return for the 2024 Paris Olympics, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday. He joins a stacked roster that features Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum, per Charania.

The future Hall of Famer is a two-time gold medalist at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games as well as a bronze medalist in 2004. He’s just one of three NBA players (Durant and Carmelo Anthony) to play in three Olympics for the U.S. This will mark the fourth Olympic appearance for James and Durant.

That’s not the only history James will make in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He becomes the oldest player to don the red, white and blue jersey. James, 39, will surpass the Reggie Miller, who was 37 years old at the start of the 2002 FIBA World Cup.

Here’s the reported roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics and a list of the oldest NBA players to play for Team USA.

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Team USA Olympic roster 2024

All 12 spots on the 2024 Paris Olympics team are filled. Kawhi Leonard is taking the final spot, per USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt. 

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the first 11 members.

Sources with @joevardon: Team USA is finalizing 11 of its 12-man Olympic roster:

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo and Tyrese Haliburton.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2024

Here are the players slated to make the team, per Charania:

Bam Adebayo, Miami HeatDevin Booker, Phoenix SunsStephen Curry, Golden State WarriorsAnthony Davis, Los Angeles LakersKevin Durant, Phoenix SunsJoel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ersAnthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesTyrese Haliburton, Indiana PacersJrue Holiday, Boston CelticsLeBron James, Los Angeles LakersKawhi Leonard, Los Angeles ClippersJayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Oldest players in Team USA history

James, 39, will become the oldest player to play for Team USA, barring a withdrawal. He surpasses Miller, who was 37 at the 2002 FIBA World Cup, by two and a half years.

Here’s the top 10 oldest NBA players to suit up for Team USA, including James.

Rank Player Age Competition 1 LeBron James 39 2024 Olympics 2 Reggie Miller 37 2002 FIBA World Cup 3 Larry Bird 35 1992 Olympics 4 Jason Kidd 35 2008 Olympics 5 Dominique Wilkins 34 1994 FIBA World Cup 6 John Stockton 34 1996 Olympics 7 Tim Hardaway 34 2000 Olympics 8 Wendell Alexis 33 1998 FIBA World Cup 9 Kobe Bryant 33 2012 Olympics 10 Chauncey Billups 33 2010 FIBA World Cup

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