Los Angeles (AFP)

NBA superstar LeBron James was vaccinated against Covid-19 but refuses to encourage anyone to do like him because he believes it is not his role, he said. said Tuesday during the "media day" of the Lakers.

"I can only speak for myself. Everyone has a choice to do what they think is right for them and their family. I admit I was very skeptical, but after doing my own research I thought it was best for me, my family and my friends. That's why I decided to do it, "he told reporters.

This is the first time that James has spoken publicly about his choice.

Earlier this year, he had repeatedly declined to say whether or not he would get the shot, arguing that it was in the private sphere.

However, his skepticism about vaccination was well known.

For two days that take place the "media days" of the various NBA franchises, the subject of non-vaccination in a large minority of players in the League, 10% according to an official census, is on everyone's lips.

Some stars have openly said they refused to be vaccinated, such Bradley Beal (Washington) who has since backpedaled slightly, saying he "still wondered".

Kyrie Irving refuses to say if he is, but his absence during the Brooklyn Nets' media day on Monday at the Barclays Center left little room for doubt: he was not allowed to do so. , a decree of the City of New York requiring professional athletes to prove that they have received at least one dose of the vaccine to be able to enter their club's enclosures.

- "It's not my job" -

Asked whether it was not up to him, given his status as the greatest star in the NBA, to encourage players, but also people who are not vaccinated, to take this step, James refused. take on this role.

"Here we are talking about the bodies of individuals. It is not about politics, racism or police brutality. It is about the well-being of people. I don't think I should interfere with what people are doing. are doing for their body. It's like I'm saying that someone should take this job or not, "he argued.

LeBron James jokes with Anthony Davis during Lakers media day in El Segundo, Calif., September 28, 2021 Harry How Getty / AFP

“You have to do what's best for you and your family. I know what I've done for myself and my family, I know what some of my friends have done for them and their family. to speak on behalf of everyone, I don't feel like doing it ... it's not my job, "he said.

"LBJ", who will wear the N.6 this season, as was the case between 2011 and 2014 with the Miami Heat (two titles at the end in 2012 and 2013), hoping that this leads him to a fifth ring of champion, assured that vaccination "has never been a subject discussed collectively" with other Lakers players.

“But at the end of the day, we always try to protect each other and put ourselves in the best possible conditions to be available for our teammates and for what we need to do on the pitch. The ultimate goal is to win a championship and the first thing to do is to be in good health, which is the most important ", he concluded.

© 2021 AFP