Agent: LeBron James skipping Rio Olympics
AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James apparently has all the gold he needs this summer.
Days after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title, James said he will not play in the Rio Olympics.
James' agent, Rich Paul, confirmed to CBS News that the two-time gold medal winner informed USA Basketball of his decision Thursday.
The 31-year-old James was named MVP of the Finals after leading the Cavs past Golden State, ending Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.
James and his teammates were honored Wednesday with a parade in Cleveland that drew an estimated million spectators. He left the rally clutching the golden Larry O'Brien Trophy, the only shiny reward he'll chase this summer.
He was being honored Thursday night in his hometown, Akron, CBS affiliate WOIO reported.
The four-time league MVP waited until after the season to announce his decision on Rio. He's the latest big name to withdraw from the American team, joining Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, James Harden and others.
His loss is the biggest yet, as James ranks as the team's career leader in points and assists in the Olympics, while ranking second in rebounds.
With James taking a pass, Carmelo Anthony alone will have a chance to become the most-decorated Olympian in men's basketball history.
The New York Knicks forward has agreed to chase a fourth Olympic medal, a person with knowledge of the details told the Associated Press Thursday.
The Americans still have two spots to fill on their 12-man roster that will be named Monday.
Toronto teammates Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will be on it, the person told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because the roster discussions were to remain private.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Indiana's Paul George, Golden State's Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Chicago's Jimmy Butler and the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan are also committed to play for the two-time defending champions in Rio de Janeiro.
The team is also holding a spot for Kyrie Irving, James' Cavaliers teammate.
Kawhi Leonard passed on the opportunity to play, with the San Antonio Spurs announcing his withdrawal in a news release.
"This was a very difficult decision. It's an honor to have been considered for the team and I hope that in the future I will have the chance to represent my country by playing for USA Basketball," Leonard said.
Anthony won gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and a bronze in 2004. He, James and Hall of Famer David Robinson are the only Americans to play in three Olympics.
Anthony previously said he planned to play, telling AP recently: "Listen, I've been with USA Basketball since I was 16, 17 years old. Can't stop now."
DeRozan played for the Americans when they won the gold medal at the Basketball World Cup in 2014, but Lowry's inclusion on the roster was a surprise, since he wasn't even in the Americans' roster pool of 31 players.
But with Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook all withdrawing, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said earlier this month he wouldn't rule out adding another guard.
He may even need to add another if Irving declines to play. Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup and would probably start for the Americans if he opted to play after helping the Cavaliers win the NBA title.
Yahoo Sports first reported Thursday that Anthony, Lowry and DeRozan would play.
Durant won gold in 2012. George, Green, Thompson, Cousins, Butler and Jordan would all be making their Olympic debuts.