LeBron James, fresh off his gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, is facing criticism on social media following a recent interaction with a young fan in France.
The backlash comes just one day after James helped Team USA secure a victory over France in the men’s basketball final.
A video posted on TikTok captures the moment James, dressed casually in Team USA gear and accompanied by his wife Savannah, was approached by a young fan eager for a photo or autograph.
As the child approached, James was heard saying “Stop” in a stern tone. A member of James’ escort then gently pushed the child aside as the group proceeded into a restaurant.
While James later appeared to enjoy the attention of photographers and even performed a celebratory dance, the interaction with the young fan quickly caught the eye of social media users.
Many criticized James for his seemingly cold response, arguing that such moments are opportunities for athletes to connect positively with their supporters.
The video has sparked a wave of reactions online. Critics have expressed disappointment, suggesting that James, as a high-profile athlete and role model, should have shown more warmth and empathy towards the young fan.
One X user commented, “That’s why he would never be as great as Michael [Jordan].” Another user expressed a contrasting view, stating, “Good, because people need to stop worshipping athletes like they are heroes.”
Some saw the incident as a learning opportunity, with one person remarking, “This is a good lesson for the kid.” Meanwhile, others were less forgiving, with a user stating, “Not a good look for LeBron; that kid is going to remember that. Shame on LeBron.”
