LeBron James has informed Team USA he will not participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star, the latest in a long line of athletes who have deciding to skip the competition, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA championship last week in an epic comeback against the Golden State Warriors.

James has now opted to miss the Games in Rio, stating: "I could use the rest".

The 31-year-old has already enjoyed a storied international playing career, winning two gold medals (in 2012 and 2008) and a bronze (2004) in three Olympics with Team USA.

He also won bronze in the 2006 FIBA World Championships.

James has played 46,861 minutes over 13 NBA seasons. Over the past six campaigns he's played 21,664 minutes, with another 330 minutes for Team USA in 2012. No other player in the league comes close to those marks.