LeBron James and several other Team USA basketball stars were spotted leaving an exclusive Parisian restaurant in the early hours of Monday morning, just days before their critical matchup against the upstart South Sudan team on Wednesday.
James, along with Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo, were seen making a discreet exit from Siena, an upscale Italian eatery near the Tuileries Garden on the north bank of the Seine. Durant was among the first to leave, while James was photographed exiting around 3 AM local time.
The scene outside the restaurant was bustling, with a group of mysterious women also leaving around the same time.
Umbrellas were strategically used to shield the celebrity guests and their companions from the prying eyes of photographers, leaving it unclear whether the women were part of the same group as the NBA stars.
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Earlier in the evening, other Team USA members, including Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum, were also seen at the restaurant, mingling with former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker and restaurateur Mehdi Abdelhedi. This social gathering followed Team USA’s victory over Nikola Jokic and Team Serbia earlier on Sunday.
The timing of this late-night outing has raised eyebrows, given Team USA’s upcoming schedule. The men’s tournament at Pierre Mauroy Stadium saw all 12 teams in action over the weekend, with Monday designated as a rest day. For some teams, it was a chance to regroup and practice, while for others, like the U.S. team, it was an opportunity to relax, recover, and enjoy the Olympic experience.
U.S. coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of allowing players to enjoy the Olympic atmosphere. “It’s huge,” Kerr said on Monday. “And it’s also important for us to allow our players to enjoy the Olympic experience, for them to be able to go and watch some of the other sports, be with their families. It’s a huge part of this. That’s what today is about, and then we’ll lock back in tomorrow.”
The significance of the U.S.-South Sudan matchup cannot be overstated, especially after South Sudan nearly defeated the Americans in a surprising 101-100 game in London earlier this month. The winner of this game will secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Serbia will face Puerto Rico in a crucial game that isn’t an elimination match but will significantly impact their chances of advancing. South Sudan, making its Olympic debut in men’s basketball, has already made a strong impression by defeating Puerto Rico 90-79 in their first game.
“We’re not a secret anymore,” South Sudan coach Royal Ivey said after the game.
South Sudan’s remarkable journey to the Olympics was spearheaded by former NBA player Luol Deng and head coach Royal Ivey, an assistant with the NBA’s Houston Rockets and a former NBA player himself. Ivey took on the South Sudan coaching job in 2021 and has led the team with distinction since.
The team boasts several former NBA players, including Wenyen Gabriel, who briefly played with LeBron James and the Lakers in 2022, and Carlik Jones, who has had stints with Dallas, Denver, and Chicago. Jones notably recorded a triple-double in the exhibition game where South Sudan nearly upset Team USA.
As the highly anticipated rematch approaches, all eyes will be on the court to see if South Sudan can continue its impressive run and potentially secure a historic victory against the formidable Team USA.
