CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on after a play in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena on October 30, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
NBAOlympicsBy Harry Lyles Jr. on

It’s been widely speculated that LeBron James would not participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and now we have confirmation of the expected.

The AP reported Thursday afternoon that LeBron would not be participating in the Olympics, adding his name to a pool of NBA players who have decided against playing in the Olympics this year for various reasons.

James participated in the past three Olympics, bringing home a Bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, and two Gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, in Beijing and London respectively.

James joins LaMarcus Aldridge, John Wall, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, Andre Drummond, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, and Kawhi Leonard as players that have opted out of the Olympics. Some for rest, and some for nursing injuries.

None of the aforementioned players, including James, have mentioned Zika as a concern as to why they were not participating.

The lone player that has hinted at Zika as a reason to not play for the U.S. is Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, who cited family obligations (they’re expecting a second child this summer), according to the Indianapolis Star.

[AP/IndyStar]

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.

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