LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, said on Tuesday that he had been vaccinated against the coronavirus, after evading questions about his vaccination status last season. Several other high-profile N.B.A. players have resisted getting vaccinated before the start of the N.B.A. season next month.
“I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family,” James said. “I know that I was very skeptical about it all, but after doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but for my family and my friends, and that’s why I decided to do it.”
James did not say which vaccine he had taken or the number of doses he had received. He also said that he would not use his platform to publicly encourage others to be vaccinated.
“We’re talking about individuals’ bodies,” he said. “We’re not talking about something that’s political or racism or police brutality and things of that nature.”
He added: “So I don’t feel like for me personally that I should get involved in what other people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager, said last week that he expected the team’s entire roster to be fully vaccinated ahead of its season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 19. Kent Bazemore, one of the team’s new players, said that he had been reluctant to be vaccinated before Pelinka persuaded him to receive his first dose.
