When LeBron James Won Olympic Gold for Team USA in 2008 and 2012 As He Considers Summer Games Return

• LeBron James is reportedly ready to commit to Team USA's 2024 Olympic basketball squad
• He helped the Redeem Team capture the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• James was part of the star-studded lineup that won the gold medal in the 2012 London Games

LeBron James sent shockwaves across the NBA on Monday with reports emerging that he is considering playing for Team USA again in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He is reportedly recruiting fellow NBA stars for next year’s Summer Games, including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum.

Sports Brief looks at James’ last two stints in the Olympics, which resulted in Team USA winning the gold medal.

LeBron helps Redeem Team grab gold

The pressure was intense for the Redeem Team to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and restore the Americans’ place at the top of the basketball world.

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Team USA failed to win in their last two major tournaments before the Summer Games in China, finishing third at both the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

James was part of both of those teams, and he wanted nothing more than to lead the United States to the top of the podium in Beijing.

USA Basketball assembled a strong team for the 2008 Olympics, with James joined by Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Chris Bosh, and Tayshaun Prince.

They stamped their authority in the preliminary round, beating China, Angola, Greece, Spain, and Germany by an average of 32.2 points.

James posted solid offensive numbers for the Redeem Team, averaging 15.8 points per game during that span.

The Americans continued their dominance in the quarter-finals, thrashing Australia 116-85 to book their spot in the semis.

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James scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory over the Aussies.

The United States then eased past Argentina 101-81 in the semi-finals to secure their place in the gold medal match.

James recorded 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists for the Americans, who gained sweet revenge for their loss to Argentina in the 2004 Summer Games.

Team USA faced their toughest test in the final against Spain. A giant upset was on the minds of the Spaniards, who trimmed the USA’s lead to just two points with 8:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade made timely baskets in the final period, however, to thwart Spain’s late rally and bring back the gold to the United States.

Wade and Bryant led Team USA in the final, scoring 27 and 20 points, respectively.

James also contributed in the 118-107 win over Spain, scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out three assists, per the Los Angeles Times.

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LeBron wins gold again in London

LeBron’s last tour of duty with Team USA came in the 2012 London Olympics.

USA Basketball assembled an even stronger team for the 2012 Olympics, with James joined in the squad by Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Andre Iguodala, and Tyson Chandler.

They crushed the opposition in the preliminary round, beating France, Tunisia, Nigeria, Lithuania, and Argentina by an average of 38.2 points.

James’ best game in the group stage came in the win against Nigeria, scoring 20 points in Team USA’s 156-73 victory.

He once again starred in Team USA’s 119-86 win over Australia in the quarter-finals, becoming the first American player to record a triple-double in the Olympics.

He finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in the rout, per NBC.

The Americans continued their excellent play in the semis, beating Argentina 109-83. James stuffed the stat sheet yet again in the win, scoring 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out seven assists.

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Team USA met Spain again in the 2012 final, a rematch of the gold medal game in the 2008 Olympics.

Durant led the Americans to victory, scoring 30 points. It was the first 30-point performance in an Olympic final in U.S. basketball history.

James also had a solid showing in the final despite being in foul trouble, recording 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the 107-100 victory.

LeBron goes to Saudi Arabia

Sports Brief recently reported on LeBron James’ surprise trip to Saudi Arabia.

The four-time NBA champion was spotted playing basketball in the capital city of Riyadh.

The Los Angeles Lakers star joked about moving to the Middle Eastern country after learning of Al Hilal's massive offer to Kylian Mbappe weeks ago.