With Team USA on a date with destiny, the red carpet rolled in Bercy Arena. France might have the home support on their side, but Team USA had the star power in their corner. Former baller Carmelo Anthony was again in the front-row seat to catch LeBron James and Co. in action. So was Jimmy Falon on Saturday night. Sha’Carri Richardson had the whole hoops community behind her after her Gold medal win in the 4x100m relay. So it was only fitting for her to return the compliment by showing up to support the flag.

LeBron James gave the track and field winner a shout-out via his Instagram story where he shared a post about Sha’Carri’s win with multiple emojis showing a sign of respect and a Gold medal. Being the flag bearer of Team USA, the King had responsibilities towards his fellow athletes and the NBA legend did not let his own Gold medal chase hinder his duties. Sha’Carri’s subsequent presence for the Showdown against France hence indicated the mutual respect between the two top stars of their respective craft.

But that wasn’t the end of the list. NBA Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol were also in that star-studded row. While the Mavs legend had no luck on the Olympics stage, Pau Gasol came tantalizingly close to Gold twice. In 2008 and 2012, Gasol’s Spain lost to Team USA in the Gold medal games. Gasol spent the whole of the Olympic month in Paris carrying out his duties as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.

Women’s soccer legend Megan Rapinoe was there with her spouse, Sue Bird, another WNBA legend who was busy discussing something out of our knowledge with Scottie Pippen.

Sue Bird has 5 Olympic gold medals to her name, the most by any US basketball player to date. Her first medal came in 2004 and since then USA-B women’s team has gone on to dominate the Olympic basketball scene. Scottie Pippen, a part of the famed Dream Team, has two golds in his bag, having won them in 1992 and 1996. Their legendary rich support ultimately outweighed the home crowd backing as Team USA secured their mission for the Gold medal with an emphatic 98-87 win.

LeBron James and Co. reach international basketball’s pinnacle with Team USA’s win, Steph and Sha’Carri share wholesome moment

Team USA came in with the expectation of delivering, and that’s exactly what they did. Despite the drama over selection issues and player performances, they stuck to the task and got the job done. Sha’Carri Richardson was seen sharing a congratulatory moment with Steph after the game as Team USA celebrated amidst the USA chants from the visiting crowd. Carmelo Anthony also didn’t let the opportunity slip and hugged Curry from behind in a wholesome moment of national significance.

Team USA kept things under their spell from the get-go and led in 3 quarters of the game, barring the 3rd. Steph Curry took over the final quarter with 3 shots from downtown and a signature night-night celebration. Chef finished the game with 24 points thanks to his 8 3-pointers, 2 points fewer than the game-high 26 from Victor Wembanyama.

LeBron James again put on a clinic with his double-double. Right at the start of Team USA’s training camp, Steve Kerr confirmed his point-forward role in the team, which has paid dividends throughout the tournament. His 14 points from 60% FG and 10 assists again proved why he is the architect behind the success.

King James also became the first player in Olympic history to lead a team in RPG and APG & win Gold!

If this was the last time LeBron James wore the star-spangled colors, this was the ultimate finale to his international career.

But the freak of nature LeBron is don’t be surprised if he pulls up that jersey one last time when the Olympics goes to America in 2028!

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.