On a recent episode of “The Shop,” the Los Angeles Lakers star named long jump and high jump as two sports he could potentially compete in at the Olympics, provided he has enough time to prepare.
“There’s zero competition that I can compete in without preparation, but I think maybe the long jump?” James said. “I think I can do the long jump, maybe, or the high jump. If you give me some time, I need about six months, eight months, or whatever of preparation to get to that.”
When asked if he could medal in either sport, James responded, “Yeah, I’m an only-podium guy.” Crazy talk at 39? Maybe. But I for one would not bet against King James.
Olympic Break Dancer?
In the same interview LeBron also mentioned break dancing as another viable Olympic event he could compete in. Per the clip below, it’s clear the basketball legend is a multi-talented athlete,
Unforunately the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee has already chosen to not add break dancing as an event in 2028.
Beach Volleyball?
I actually could see LeBron putting in a year or two of weekends in Manhattan Beach, California on the sand volleyball courts and making a run at a medal in LA. A logical partner for LeBron? Chase Budinger. Budinger of course played two-man beach volleyball in the Paris Games, teaming up with Miles Evans to make it to the round of 16 before being knocked out by the Norwegian Team.
Chase Budinger retired from the NBA in 2017 to pursue professional beach volleyball. He was drafted into the NBA originally out of the University of Arizona in 2009, playing for the Houston Rockets from 2009-2012. He played for several other NBA teams before retiring. He would bring a ton of experience to the table and be a natural soul mate for James.
Rowing?
It is not uncommon for heavyweight Olympic oarsmen to be 6’-6” to 6’-8” per stats I looked at from previous Olympic Games. Rowing with seven other people at an elite level for 2,000 meters requires extreme cardio vascular training and practice. It is however a repetitive motion that someone with LeBron’s abilities could easily master, even at 43.
Clearly LeBron at 39 does not have the same abilities that he had at 25. He is a step slower. He is a little less explosive. Per StatMuse he has logged 56,598 minutes of playing in the NBA since 2003. It is estimated he has run 4,198 miles in 21 seasons. He has to give his body more time to recover and work at taking care of himself. And he has unlimited resources to take care of his body as far as technology, diet and personal training. Maybe he is only 75% of the athlete he was in his prime. That didn’t stop him from being rightly named MVP of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
So when it comes to Los Angeles in 2028 who knows? But if the past is any kind of an indicator, and LeBron sets his mind to it, I am putting all my chips on number 23.
