Every star athlete has their idol, and LeBron James stands head and shoulders above the rest! Known for shooting for the stars, LeBron has clinched multiple championships and MVP titles throughout his career. He is undoubtedly the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. At 39, he’s aiming for his third Olympic gold medal, proving that age is just a number. Whether you’re on his team or not, LeBron James boasts a global fanbase that includes celebrities like Drake, Kim Kardashian, Jack Nicholson, and more. Interestingly, a 25-year-old American track and field star who also qualified for the Paris Olympics proudly counts herself among LeBron’s most fervent admirers!

Tara Davis-Woodhall has been consistently jumping 7 meters and maintaining an undefeated streak this year. And now is aiming high for the Paris Olympics in the long jump. As she gears up for her second Olympics, she recently sat down with TMZ Sports on YouTube, where she emphasized that for her, the Paris Olympics are about more than just winning- it’s about meeting her idols. Well, it started when the host of TMZ asked, “Tara, as you get ready to head overseas, it’s a who’s who among Olympians….you haven’t met yet…. I know you’ve got some pretty big teammates like the Team USA basketball team and the gymnasts. Is there someone you haven’t met yet that you have your eyes on, someone you just gotta meet?

Excitedly, Tara Davis’s response began with a beaming smile and a cheerful “Oooo,” clearly showing her enthusiasm. She followed up with, “That’s the great question” Continuing on, she mused, “Since you just mentioned the basketball team, I’m gonna say LeBron James. I’ve never met him, but I think he’d be really cool. He’s changed the sport in so many ways for athletes, so I think I would like to meet him.”

It’s a thought that strikes a chord with many, as LeBron James, is known as “King James,” for a good reason! He made history as the first active NBA player to hit billionaire status. Beyond his financial success, he’s also put his money into philanthropic endeavors, setting him apart from other athletes.

LeBron has also been a vocal champion for social justice, tackling issues like racism, gun control, police brutality, and voting rights. Similarly, Tara Davis has been going above and beyond in her sport, making many contributions to track and field alongside her achievements.

After LeBron James, Tara Davis is breaking boundaries with fearless conviction

Back in 2022, Tara Davis candidly stated, “Long jump is not a sexy event. It’s not like the 100 meters or the 200 meters—we don’t get the same amount of attention. No one really wants to watch it. But I’m trying to change that.” Tara Davis has consistently been outspoken. When she feels something is amiss, she doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. For instance, when Nike unveiled their Paris Olympics outfit featuring a high-cut leotard barely covering the bikini line, she remarked, “Wait, my hoo haa is gonna be out,” prioritization of style over practicality.

Whether correcting the mispronunciation of her name by media reporters or standing shoulder to shoulder with her non-binary friend and US indoor champion in the 1500m, Nikki Hiltz, Tara Davis has shown unwavering support. She has also boldly tackled body shaming and challenged prevailing beauty standards, refusing to back down in the face of criticism.

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s journey so far has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Starting in the sport at just four years old, she has jumped through hoops to become an NCAA champion, clinching titles in both indoor and outdoor long jump events during her standout season with the Texas Longhorns in 2021. Breaking records and earning recognition as a Honda Sport Award finalist, Davis-Woodhall continued her ascent, securing gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and silver at the 2023 World Championships. With a final leap of 7.00m at the U.S. trials in June, she clinched her place for Paris.

She further revealed with TMZ about the Paris Olympics, “Gold is on my mind…this Olympics I’m just gonna try to take every moment.” Well, in Tokyo, she landed sixth place in the long jump event at the 2020 Olympics. Currently, she’s on cloud nine, filled with satisfaction, anticipation and confidence. It’ll be a sight to behold watching the “cool” Tara Davis shine at the Paris Olympics.