28 Jul
    11 Aug 2024

    LeBron leads parade of 8 Olympic basketball and 3x3 flag bearers in Paris

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    LeBron lead parade of Olympic basketball flag bearers in Paris

    There is no greater honor for an athlete than to serve as a nation's flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.

    PARIS (France) - Belgium's Emma Meessemann, Germany's Dennis Schroder, Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, South Sudan's Kuany Kuany, and USA's LeBron James will play in the Olympic Basketball Tournaments Paris 2024 and serve as flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony.

    3x3 stars Nauris Miezis from Latvia, Worthy De Jong representing the Netherlands, and Przemyslaw Zamojski of Poland will also have the privilege of doing so for their respective countries.

    LeBron James - USA

    James, 39, playing at the Olympics for the fourth time, arrives at the Games hoping to win a third gold medal with the USA.

    "It's an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together, James said in remarks published by the Associated Press. He led the USA to gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics while at his first Games in 2004, James was a part of an American team that claimed the bronze medal. He also finished at Third-Place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006.

    "For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations," he said. "Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I'm proud to be a part of this important moment."

    Emma Meesseman - Belgium

    She is one of the best players in the world and will be a star attract in the women's tournament for the second straight Olympics. After spearheading Belgium's run to the Quarter-Finals in Tokyo, Meesseman led Belgium to their first FIBA Women's EuroBasket crown last year.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo - Greece

    This summer is already very special for Antetokounmpo, one of the best Europeans ever to play the game.

    The two-time NBA MVP (2019, 2020) and 2021 NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP realized a dream by helping Greece reach the Olympics for the first time since 2008. Antetokounmpo was the MVP of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Piraeus.

    "It's an incredible feeling," he said after the FIBA OQT. "Since I was a kid I always wanted to play in the Olympic Games."

    Dennis Schroder - Germany

    The point guard was already in the clouds after his magnificent performance at last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila where he was selected MVP as he steered Germany to their proudest moment in the game. It was the first time Germany lifted the Naismith Trophy.

    Now, the basketball team captain will proudly carry the flag at the Opening Ceremony.

    Kuany Kuany - South Sudan

    The Bright Stars historic captain has been a mainstay for South Sudan since they hit the international basketball scene in 2020. The team clinched their place at the Olympics as the as the highest-placed African team at the World Cup. The captain of the basketball team will represent the country at the Opening Ceremony.

    Kuany Kuany from South Sudan

    "It means a lot, something very special because obviously it's our first time here as a basketball team", he said. "To be able to lead these guys out is something very meaningful and being aware of the country, the whole support of everybody behind us, is going to be very special and meaningful, and I can't wait."

    Nauris Miezis - Latvia

    He is a national hero in Latvia after leading his country to the top of the podium at the first Olympic 3x3 tournament in Tokyo. He's back with his team in Paris and this time he was awarded this ultimate honor. Flag bearer for a whole country.

    Worthy De Jong - Netherlands

    Long-time Netherlands national team star De Jong has been terrific in 3x3, too, which he began playing in 2022. He was the MVP of the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament II in Utsunomiya, Japan, where the Netherlands, who finished fifth in Tokyo, clinched a spot in Paris.

    “I never thought I would be asked to be flag bearer for the Netherlands,” De Jong said. “I think it’s a huge honor and it’s also a nice podium for our sport.”

    Przemyslaw Zamojski - Poland

    This will be the second appearance at the Olympics for Zamojski as he represented his country in the sport’s debut at Tokyo in 2021.

    Zamojski, who used to represent Poland in basketball, has been a 3x3 hero on numerous occasions. He was a linchpin in their Olympic run last time out in Tokyo. He banked in a two-pointer this year that earned Poland their second Olympic ticket in Debrecen, Hungary.

    Here is a look back at those that have had the honor since the millennium.

    Pat Mills, Australia - 2020

    The explosive scorer who burst onto the Olympic scene in 2008 with the Boomers, Mills had the honor at his fourth Olympic Games, in Tokyo. The first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag at the Opening Ceremony, Mills was hailed for his leadership both on and off the court for Australia.

    Sonja Vasic, Serbia - 2020

    Fresh off leading Serbia to the title at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, Vasic capped her amazing career by playing at the Olympic in Tokyo. Making that experience all the sweeter was Serbia's decision to make her flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony.

    Tomas Satoransky, Czechia - 2020

    One of the best players to ever represent the country, Satoransky averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 assists at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, leading the Czechs to sixth place. It was the first time the country played in the competition since the breakup of Czechoslovakia. Even then, Czechoslovakia's last appearance at the World Cup was in 1982. Satoransky was then MVP of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver as Czechia clinched a spot at the Tokyo Games.

    Miranda Ayim, Canada - 2020

    Having represented Canada for more than a decade and a half, dating back to the youth teams, Ayim was presented with the flag bearer honor before playing at her third Olympics. Ayim represented the country in numerous events. She was a vital contributor at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2014 and 2018.

    Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Iran - 2020

    Samad helped Iran capture the FIBA Asia Cup 2007 title to qualify for the following years' Beijing Games. He then led them at those Olympics in China. Samad was one of the faces of an Iran team that was among the best teams in Asia for a decade and a half.

    Rui Hachimura, Japan - 2020

    Hachimura was just 23 when he was made flag bearer for Japan in Tokyo. The future NBA star had made played well in the Japan national team program for a long time, first for the youth teams and then with the senior side. In 2019, he appeared in his first FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

    Sue Bird, USA - 2020

    The remarkable Bird had the honor before going on to lead the USA to an Olympic gold medal for the fifth time in her incredible national team career. One of the greatest point guards ever, Bird also led the USA to the top of the podium at five FIBA Basketball World Cups.

    Khulan Onolbaatar, Mongolia (3x3) - 2020

    Mongolia proudly celebrates its first female flag bearer, Khulan, a true pioneer of the sport in her country. Since her impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics, Khulan has grown into the team leader and the face of 3x3 basketball in Mongolia. She secured a bronze medal at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024 in Singapore and was selected as MVP at the Women’s Series Ulaanbaatar stop in 2024.

    Agnis Cavars, Latvia (3x3) - 2020

    Cavars was given the role of flag bearer after leading Latvia to the Olympics, where for the first time 3x3 would be played. He followed that up by sparking Latvia on their run to the gold medal.

    Luis Scola, Argentina - 2016

    One of his country's and international basketball's most beloved players, Scola had the honor of serving as flag bearer at his fourth Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro. Scola won the gold medal with Argentina at the 2004 Athens Games and bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

    Pau Gasol, Spain - 2012

    Spain's huge popular and success NBA star was bestowed the honor at the London Games. Gasol appeared in five Olympics and is considered one of the best to ever compete at the Summer Games. His Spain teams reached the Final in 2008 and 2012, and claimed the bronze medal in 2016.

    Pau Gasol for Spain

    Lauren Jackson, Australia - 2012

    The goat of Australian women's basketball, Jackson led her country's contingent of athletes at the Opening Ceremony in London. Jackson led Australia to the Gold Medal Games at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics, and to bronze in 2012. Having had her career prematurely draw to a close because of injuries, Jackson began playing again and helped the Opals clinch third at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, and will this summer player at the Olympics for the fifth team in her amazing career, and this time at the age of 43.

    Lauren Jackson for Australia

    Yi Jianlian, China - 2012

    At his third Olympics, the high-flying Yi followed in the footsteps China legend Yao Ming by serving as flag bearer in London.

    Yi Jianlian for China

    Yao Ming, China - 2004 and 2008

    Twice in his illustrious career, Yao was the flag bearer for China. On the second occasion, he did so in Beijing after overcoming an injury to make the team. Yao was at the time, and continues to be in retirement, the most famous basketball player in the nation's history.

    Yao Ming for China

    Dirk Nowitzki, Germany - 2008

    The greatest player in Germany history, Nowitzki spearheaded his national team's run to a spot in the 2008 Beijing Games with a typically dominant effort at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens. The legend then had the honor of serving as flag bearer bestowed up him for the Opening Ceremony.

    Dirk Nowitzki for Germany

    Manu Ginobili, Argentina - 2008

    Famous for his four NBA title wins with the San Antonio Spurs, Ginobili's finest hour as a basketball player was arguably in 2004 when he led Argentina to the top of the podium at the Olympics in Greece. Two years before his Athens triumph, Ginobili provided much of the fuel for Argentina's run to the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis.

    Sarunas Jasikevicius, Lithuania - 2008

    The MVP of EuroBasket 2003 after leading Lithuania to glory in Sweden, Jasikevicius has plenty of incredible moments representing his country on the Olympic stage, and usually against the United States. The guard exploded for 27 points in a near upset of the USA in the Semi-Finals of the 2000 Olympics and had 28 in a Preliminary Round victory over the Americans four years later in Athens.

    Andrei Kirilenko, Russia - 2008

    Following his FIBA EuroBasket 2007 MVP performance after leading Russia past hosts Spain in the Final, Kirilenko was given the honor of serving as his country's flag bearer at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

    Dawn Staley, USA - 2004

    Hailed for her performances on the court and charitable work off it, Staley carried the flag for the United States at her third Olympics. After capturing three gold medals as a player, Staley was head coach of the American team that went undefeated and won the Gold Medal Game over hosts Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

    Carlos Arroyo, Puerto Rico - 2004

    The point guard had the honor of carrying his nation's flag in his first and only Olympic appearance, in Athens. The biggest of his Olympic highlights on the court came in his very first game, when he pulled all the strings with his scoring and playmaking as Puerto Rico shocked the United States on the first day of the tournament, 92-73.

    Saulius Stombergas, Lithuania -2004

    Stombergas famously torched hosts Australia for 28 points in his team's Bronze Medal Game victory at the 200 Olympics in Sydney. He was also captain of the national team that won FIBA EuroBasket 2003 in Sweden.

    Angelo Victoriano, Angola - 2004

    Thirty-six at the time, Victoriano's fourth Olympics was made all the sweeter when his country made him the flag bearer. The memory that may have stood out the most for the forward, however, was his first Olympics in 1992 because Victoriano played 18 minutes against the USA Dream Team on the opening day of the tournament in Barcelona.

    Dejan Bodiroga, Serbia and Montenegro - 2004

    Bodiroga hit the heights with Yugoslavia in 1998 and 2002 as a leading player in the country's FIBA Basketball World Cup-winning sides. Athens was his third Olympic Games.

    Andrew Gaze, Australia - 2000

    The five-time Olympian was a points machine in his long, successful career. The leading scorer in his last Summer Games at 19.9ppg, Gaze has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Carrying the flag in front of his compatriots was a major honor

    Chung Eun-Soon, Korea - 2000

    After featuring in the 1996 Atlanta Games, Chung made the roster for Sydney and was made the flagbearer. The 1.85m center was particularly dazzling in the fourth game in Sydney against Russia, scoring 16 points and dishing out 10 assists to lead Korea to a 75-73 victory. The team went on to reach the Semi-Finals before falling in a hardfought encounter with eventual champions USA, 78-65.

    Carlton Myers, Italy - 2000

    After leading Italy to the EuroBasket crown in 1999 in France, a tournament that saw him drill 16 of 37 (43.2 percent) shots from long range, the popular Myers was bequeathed the honor as flagbearer. A tremendous scorer, Myers averaged more than 14ppg in Sydney as Italy reached the Quarter-Finals before falling to Australia.

    Liu Yudong, China - 2000

    Playing in his second straight Olympics at the age of 30, China gave the Fujian-born forward the flag for the Opening Ceremony. He was an experienced hand because four years earlier at the Atlanta Games, Liu had also carried the flag.

    FIBA

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