LeBron first Northeast Ohio athlete to be Olympic flag bearer

• James is also the first men's basketball player to have the honor.

The intrigue: James' Olympic teammate and fellow Akron native Steph Curry nominated James, who was then voted by his fellow Olympians to be the men's flag bearer.

• The only other Ohio athlete to carry the flag was figure skater and Bowling Green native Scott Hamilton at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

What they're saying: James, in a statement, called being a flag bearer an "incredible honor."

• "For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations."

How to watch: Live coverage of the opening ceremony begins at 1:30pm Friday on NBC and Peacock.