LeBron James Named MVP of Paris 2024 Olympics Men's Basketball Competition as Americans Win 5th Straight Gold
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11 August 2024 17:41 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - LeBron James added another feather to his cap after being named the basketball MVP of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He is considered to have played a key role in helping the United States Basketball Team win its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal and 17th overall.
James, who returned to the Olympic stage after a 12-year absence, averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.3 steals in the six games that Team USA won.
In the 98-87 win over France in the final, James recorded 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes of play.
The Olympic MVP award makes James the third player in history to receive the honor, joining Kevin Durant (2020) of the United States and Manu Ginobili (2004) of Argentina.
In addition to being named MVP, James was also selected for the Olympic All-Star Five along with teammate Stephen Curry, Serbia's Nikola Jokic, France's Victor Wembanyama and Germany's Dennis Schroder.
James, who won his third Olympic gold medal, revealed that this achievement felt the most special. "This is a big moment for US basketball," James was quoted as saying by AFP.
"I feel very humbled that I can still play at a high level playing with 11 other great players, and an amazing coaching staff to represent our country."
The Los Angeles Lakers star first won an Olympic medal with a bronze medal in Athens 2004 as a young player. Four years later, he was part of the "Redeem Team" that won gold at Beijing 2008 and gold again at London 2012. However, the Paris 2024 Olympics will be his first appearance after London.
James also mentioned that this might be his last Olympic appearance.
"It's the best because it's now," James said, referring to his possible retirement from the Olympic scene.
"I don't see myself playing in LA (2028). Although I didn't see myself playing in Paris before either. But four years from now, I don't see that happening," he said.
ANTARA
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