Nearly 600 Team USA members vote LeBron James for historic honor

James won a vote of nearly 600 members of Team USA. A female athlete has also been selected and that announcement will come on Tuesday.

While no male basketball player has ever served as a flag bearer for Team USA, two women's players have earned the role in the past. Retired five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird was a flag bearer in 2021 at the Tokyo Summer Games and three-time Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley had the honor in 2004 in Athens.

Golden State Warriors two-time MVP Stephen Curry nominated James to be a flag bearer and was a nominee himself.

"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, according to a report by ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "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. ... Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment."