11 Years Before Dethroning Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky Was Astounded by LeBron James’ Presence

Katie Ledecky has become one of the biggest names in the world of competitive swimming. If Michael Phelps was big, you can be assured that Katie Ledecky has surely surpassed him in terms of winning the most individual gold medals at world championships. Yet, 11 years before taking over the world of swimming and dethroning Phelps, Katie Ledecky was astonished by the presence of LeBron James.

Though Katie Ledecky herself is an international and Olympic swimmer, she too was taken aback by being in the presence of King James. Here is the story in the words of the seven-time Olympic gold medal winner.

Katie Ledecky’s LeBron James moment

Katie Ledecky has been representing the United States for years on the international stage. This also includes the Olympic level too. And the story of LeBron James is from the 2012 London Olympics. Ledecky once appeared for an interview on the Fitter and Faster Swim Camps YouTube channel. During the interview, Ledecky was asked who she got to meet at the Olympics back then.

Katie mentioned that back in 2012, the entire Team USA was staying in the village except for the basketball players. As the players were getting familiar with each other, the basketball team stopped by to experience it as well.

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While the athletes were getting their pictures clicked before the opening ceremony, Katie mentioned her run-in with LeBron James. She said, “There was one point where we were sitting on this bench. And LeBron James just came over and sat right on the bench.” 

“And I think I was on the end of the bench. So he’s basically like, you know, sitting right next to me, and there I met some of the other basketball players.”

One can imagine that despite being a top athlete, it’s difficult to not have a fan moment when the 4-time NBA champion and leader in all-time points sits next to you. Notably, this isn’t the only time Katie was swooning over a basketball legend.

Ledecky’s story about Coach K

Being an Olympic swimmer herself, it seemed as if Katie Ledecky was starstruck by being in the presence of LeBron James. She did not get to interact with the NBA star but according to her, the Olympic basketball team did come to watch the races she competed in.

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Katie also went on to talk about Mike Krzyzewski or Coach K and his admiration for the sport of swimming.

According to Ledecky, Krzyzewski, who was Team USA’s basketball coach, wanted his players to watch the swimmers compete. Despite being an individual sport, the swimmers still came together as a team. The Duke coach believed this would inspire the men to clinch the gold. Which, of course, they did.

Ledecky mentioned how in the next 2016 Olympics, she got to interact more with the fabled NBA stars.