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

Brendan OSullivan

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

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.

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

  • Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
  • Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
  • Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
  • Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
  • Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
  • Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
  • Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
  • Jayson 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.

RankPlayerAgeCompetition
1LeBron James392024 Olympics
2Reggie Miller372002 FIBA World Cup
3Larry Bird351992 Olympics
4Jason Kidd352008 Olympics
5Dominique Wilkins341994 FIBA World Cup
6John Stockton341996 Olympics
7Tim Hardaway342000 Olympics
8Wendell Alexis331998 FIBA World Cup
9Kobe Bryant332012 Olympics
10Chauncey Billups332010 FIBA World Cup

Brendan OSullivan

Brendan OSullivan Photo

Brendan O'Sullivan is an editorial intern for Sporting News, joining in 2024. He previously worked at Newsday on Long Island, New York after graduating from Quinnipiac University.