In one episode of his own show, Wayne Rooney revisited an Olympic evening when he suddenly found himself amid the star-studded roster of Team USA Basketball. The English forward described the atmosphere as a rare chance to peek behind the scenes of an NBA All-Star–level squad — with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and other legends — and shared a funny detail that ended up ruining a family photoshoot.
"Dream Team" at Arm's Length
According to Rooney, the group featured "all the No. 1s" — from LeBron to Kobe. For a footballer used to the tunnels of the Premier League, it was an introduction to a different "pantheon" hierarchy: NBA superstars, the coaching staff, the delegation — and a tight security cordon all around.
Security's Full-Court Press: First Attempt Denied
When he simply tried to walk up and say hello, Rooney ran into a strict perimeter. Security played it clean: a brief stoppage — and the Englishman, by his own admission, had to back off, not insist, and step away so as not to make a fuss.
LeBron's Assist: Recognized at the Door
The turnaround came from James himself: he noticed Rooney, called him over, and invited him to join the evening group. As LeBron explained, they had crossed paths before — at a Nike event in Portland — so recognition kicked in instantly. In the end, the footballer spent time alongside the team, chatting and watching how the Olympic favorite lives off the hardwood.
A Photoshoot Without a Hit: A Family Mishap
Rooney and his wife Coleen took a few shots with Team USA players — seemingly perfect additions to the family archive. But at the "photo finish" came a comic twist: as Wayne joked, in every frame a straw was stuck in Coleen's hair. The result — an entire batch of pictures went to the trash, leaving only a warm memory and a studio-friendly anecdote.
An Evening That Says More Than Numbers
This story has no stat lines, no shots from the perimeter, and no game-winning possessions — but it offers a rare look at the human side of big-time sports. For Rooney, it was an evening when respect between stars of different games worked better than any accreditation badge; for listeners, a reminder that alongside the loudest names there is room for simple, vivid moments.
