LeBron James is one of the most well-known athletes in the world, so it's fair to assume that all eyes are on him when he enters a room.
That hasn't always been the case at the 2024 Paris Olympics, however.
James had an awkward moment on Tuesday during the United States vs. Brazil men's basketball quarterfinal match. As he took a seat, the crowd erupted, making the 39-year-old believe they were cheering him on. He waved to the fans and did his patented crown celebration late in the fourth quarter, but the cheers weren't for the "King."
Here's a look at James' awkward moment and the moment the broadcast realizes who the crowd was celebrating.
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LeBron James, Leon Marchand video
James left Team USA's game against Brazil in the Olympic quarterfinals with an eye injury that required four stitches. The 39-year-old was in top form before getting an elbow to the face, finishing with 12 points on 5-6 shooting from the field to go along with nine assists in 16 minutes.
After leaving the bench for a while to get his eye checked, James returned late in the fourth quarter when the game was all but over. The crowd cheered, which seemed too coincidental to not be for James. He waved to the fans and placed an imaginary crown on his head, signifying he's the "King."
Unfortunately for James, the crowd was not paying attention to him. Leon Marchand was in attendance, so the crowd gave him an ovation.
"This crowd is responding ... somebody just stood up," announcer Noah Eagle said on the broadcast. "The question is — it could be Marchand. I think it's Marchand in here. It is Leon Marchand, who had a fantastic Olympics."
Crowd started cheering and LeBron thought it was for him, but it was for gold medal french swimmer Léon Marchand in the crowd pic.twitter.com/Z0e5lHMrQ0
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) August 6, 2024
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Marchand, a 22-year-old French swimmer, won four gold medals in his Olympic debut this summer. It worked out that the star shined in his home country.
James and the USA's hope for another goal medal continues on Thursday with a semifinals matchup against Serbia. If the USA faces France in the final, perhaps James and Marchand will be in the same building once again.
