LeBron James Hints at Olympic Retirement Ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Games

After securing gold and MVP honors at the 2024 Paris Olympics, LeBron James suggests he may not return for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Here’s what the NBA legend said about his Olympic future.

LeBron James added a remarkable fourth Olympic gold medal to his résumé during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, but the question remains: will the NBA icon go for gold one more time when the Olympics come to Los Angeles in 2028?

While many fans are hopeful, LeBron — who would be 43 years old when the games arrive in his hometown — has suggested that another Olympic run is not likely.

James is a four-time Olympian, earning three gold medals and one bronze in his international career. His stellar performance in Paris in 2024 was a fitting highlight, as he averaged 14.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game and helped Team USA win the gold against France in a dominant final showing.

His leadership and clutch plays during the tournament earned him Olympic MVP honors, and he even had the distinction of serving as one of Team USA’s flag bearers during the opening ceremony — an honor shared by only a few basketball legends, including Sue Bird and Dawn Staley.

Though some speculate that James might be tempted to suit up for one final run in Los Angeles, he made it clear that he doesn’t foresee playing in the 2028 Olympics. By then, he will have likely retired from professional basketball and would be 43 years old, making him a candidate to become the oldest Olympic basketball player in history.

The current record for the oldest Olympic basketball player is held by Australia’s Lauren Jackson, who was 43 years and 79 days old when she played in her fifth Olympics in 2024. For men, Brazil’s Marcelino Huertas holds the record at 41 years and 63 days.

If Paris 2024 was LeBron’s last Olympic appearance, he couldn’t have scripted a better finale. Not only did he win gold and MVP, but he also solidified his place in Olympic basketball history, tying Carmelo Anthony with three gold medals, second only to Kevin Durant, who holds the top spot with four.

Whether or not fans see LeBron take the court again for Team USA, his contributions to international basketball remain legendary.