LeBron James Cheers Balogun for His Goal and Celebration at the World Cup

US forward Folarin Balogun celebrated scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the 2026 World Cup Group D match between the USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

Basketball star LeBron James praised Folarin Balogun for his goal in the USA's World Cup win on Wednesday. Balogun copied James's famous “Silencer” celebration after scoring.

Balogun scored two goals in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but his first goal was ruled offside. Each time he scored, he performed James’s signature dance move.

“THE (Silencer) HAS (Arrived) at the World Cup!” James posted on X, adding a shushing emoji and another emoji of a plane landing.

“Helluva goal there, Young (King)!” James said, using another emoji of a crown. His post on X has nearly four million views.

James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He often does the Silencer celebration after making important shots. The dance involves lifting his knees, pushing both palms down to the ground, and tapping his chest. It shows he has “silenced” a loud rival.

Balogun, 24, was born in New York but grew up in London. He now lives and plays in France. He is a big fan of basketball.

When US soccer scouts wanted him to play for the US instead of England or Nigeria, they famously flew him to Florida. They also gave him NBA courtside tickets to watch.

So far in this World Cup, Balogun has scored three goals. The US team has made it to the last-16. But he will miss the game against Belgium on Monday because he was sent off in the second half of the Bosnia game.