LeBron picks Bugs Bunny over Aust

BASKETBALL great LeBron James has chosen to film a movie opposite Bugs Bunny instead of playing a historic Melbourne series between Team USA and Australia.

The NBA star has slam dunked hopes of seeing him play on Australian soil before near sell-out crowds this August, confirming he will instead appear in a remake of 1990s film Space Jam.

James was top of the list fans and organisers had hoped would attend the two-game Melbourne series that will pit the Boomers against the US at Marvel Stadium.

It is still expected a host of NBA talent will take part in the series that could also see Melbourne-born-and-bred Ben Simmons don the green and gold before a home crowd.

After being eliminated from the NBA playoffs with the LA Lakers, James said he would follow in Michael Jordan’s foosteps and star in Space Jam 2 instead of visiting Melbourne.

Australia will host Team USA on August 22 and 24.