The announcement Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James would be Team USA’s flag-bearer in the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony of the resonated with sports fans across the globe, as the 39-year-old is the most influential leader in sports.
LeBron James Won’t Be Only NBA Flag-Bearer For Paris Olympics
A four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion, James will now be looking to win his fourth Olympic medal. The symmetry is fitting for the first men’s basketball player to be the United States’ flag-bearer at the Olympic Games.
With that being said, James isn’t the only NBA veteran who’ll be his country’s flag-bearer. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder have been named as the male flag-bearers for Greece and Germany, respectively.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo has been the face of the Bucks’ franchise for the nearly a decade.
A two-time NBA MVP, the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2021 NBA Finals MVP, the 29-year-old is a terror in the open court at 6-foot-11 and 242 pounds. His spin move is a deadly weapon, his graceful footwork and extraordinary length leading him right to the rim. He’s also a highly effective playmaker, making great reads in a point-forward role.
Ultimately, he’s the best player on Greece’s men’s national basketball team in terms of sheer dominance. Teammate Nick Calathes is perhaps their most skilled player. After all, he’s the all-time leader in assists and steals. Yet, amazingly, even he doesn’t put pressure on defenses the way Antetokounmpo does.
All of that said, Antetokounmpo being named as his country’s flag-bearer doesn’t just come down to talent. Born in Athens to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo’s wasn’t granted Greek citizenship throughout his youth as they practice jus sanguinis. As a result, his nationality was to be that of his parents. However, Antetokounmpo was granted Greek citizenship in 2013, allowing him to travel to the United States and play in the NBA.
In sum, Antetokounmpo lived in a country that disenfranchised him. Indeed, Greece has developed a reputation for being rather unfriendly towards African immigrants. As a result, he represents a darker side of Greece, literally and metaphorically. Being Greece’s flag-bearer symbolizes the waves of migrants who should be empowered by a country that they feel is home.
Dennis Schroder
The 30-year-old Schroder was born in Braunschweig, only moving to America after being drafted in 2013. A professional player since 2010, Schroder’s had a roller coaster NBA career. Initially a backup point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, the former first round pick became their starter in his fourth season.
Unfortunately for Schroder, that promotion was brief, as he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018. After two years as the Thunder’s sixth man, Schroder was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, he’s become something of a journeyman, playing 51 games or fewer for four other teams. Now, Schroder has essentially reclaimed his role as a lead guard, starting in 198 of 271 regular season games since 2020-21.
Schroder was named as Germany’s captain in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a responsibility that he hasn’t taken lightly. In fact, Schroder was named the 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP after leading Germany to their first ever World Cup title. Now, he’s his country’s flag-bearer, and will look to lead Germany to their first Olympic medal.
