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LeBron James on playing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles: 'I don't see that happening'

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones06/17/25brianjones_93
LeBron James (1)
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

LeBron James will likely not compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, James was asked if there was any update on him playing for Team USA in his adopted hometown in three years.

“Nothing has changed. Where we at, man, 2025 right now?” LeBron James said. “Nah, nothing has changed. I mean, if I had to look at it right now through a microscope, I would say that, me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that’s for sure. But me actually going on and playing, I don’t see it happening. I’ve given everything that I have, and I will always be appreciative and loyal and dedicated to Team USA and USA Basketball.”

It would be special for James to play in the 2028 Olympics, as it will be the first time the Summer Olympics have been held in the United States since 1996 when they were in Atlanta. But James, who will be 43 when the 2028 Olympics begin, has nothing to prove when it comes to his international career.

LeBron James reflects on the ‘Redeem Team’ from the 2008 Olympics

James has competed in four Olympics, winning three gold medals and one bronze. His first Olympics were in 2004, and he followed that up with appearances in 2008 and 2012. James didn’t compete in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics but returned for the 2024 games in Paris and helped the team win gold.

The 2008 Olympics stood out for James as Team USA was known as the “Redeem Team,” a play on the “Dream Team” name from the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team. After earning bronze in 2004, Team USA bounced back and won gold in 2008. Along with James, the “Redeem Team” featured Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant.

“We understood that going into the (2008) Beijing Olympics, that it had nothing to do with the names on our backs — it had everything to do about the red, white and blue in the ‘USA’ on our front,” James said. “And we understood that we were carrying the whole country. We had a couple of down years in USA Basketball during the transition period, and that’s why the name ‘Redeem’ was— it was the most appropriate name for that team.”