James joined Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant as the only American men's basketball players to compete at four separate Olympics. James made his debut in 2004 in Athens, was a member of the 2008 "Redeem Team" in Beijing and won gold in 2012 at the London games. Paris marked his return after he did not compete in the previous two Olympics.

During the first decade of his NBA career, LeBron James became a regular member of Team USA men's basketball. He represented the United States in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, and he also participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championship (now known as the FIBA World Cup).