James, 39, is aiming for his third Olympic gold medal with Team USA this summer in Paris. Having won gold in 2008 and 2012, he knows exactly what other sport he'd choose if given the chance to compete in the Olympics.
“If I could, it would be the four-by-one relay in track and field,” he revealed.
As a self-proclaimed “team guy,” the Los Angeles Lakers star even has a specific role in mind for the relay event.
“I want to be the anchor, for sure. I want to finish it off the right way,” he said.
As a four-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, James has achieved nearly everything in basketball. So why does he feel compelled to return to the Olympics?
“It’s about timing,” he explained. “At this stage in my career, I still have a lot to give. Team USA has given me so much, and I see this as an opportunity to give back.”
Regardless of the outcome in Paris, James will become the oldest U.S. men’s basketball Olympian ever and will remain an iconic figure in the sport. However, he wants his legacy to extend beyond basketball.
“I hope people don’t only talk about my basketball career. The impact I have on my community and the people I inspire worldwide is what I want to be remembered for,” he stated.
James acknowledges the significant role basketball has played in his life, but he aspires to be remembered for more than just the game.
“Basketball has allowed me to experience things I never could have imagined. But if my legacy is only about basketball, then I’ve failed in my mission,” he said.
The Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, but James, who recently signed a two-year extension with the Lakers, doesn’t plan to be in the city during the Games.
“No, I won’t be there,” he said.
“I’m leaving Los Angeles when the Olympics come. I’ll live there all year, but I’m out of the city for the 2028 Games,” he added with a laugh.