Who is the oldest NBA player right now and how long has he played?

The professional basketball league in North America, the National Basketball Association (NBA), is one of several professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and has fans across the globe. Attracting the best of the best, the NBA consists of 30 teams divided into Eastern and Western Conferences.

Athletes competing in the NBA need to maintain peak condition throughout the League's rigorous 82-game regular season. Naturally, considering the high physical demand of the League, many fans are interested in who is the oldest NBA player right now.

Besides who is the oldest active NBA player, basketball fans are often interested in who is the oldest athlete to play in the NBA. Interestingly, while young athletes fill the ranks frequently, NBA all-star players continue to dominate, demonstrating exceptional skills, shape and style of play, despite their increasing age.

Who is the oldest athlete to play in the NBA

Many fans of the NBA and basketball have undoubtedly heard the name Nat Hickey. Born in 1902, he was an American professional basketball coach and player with Croatian roots. Graduating from high school in Hoboken, New Jersey, Nat Hickey played basketball professionally between 1921 and 1948.

Interestingly, when the NBA was still known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), Nat Hickey played in games during the 1947-48 season. At the time, Hickey was 45 years and 363 days old, becoming the oldest player to ever play in the NBA. Starting January 1, 1948, he was the coach of the Providence Steamrollers.

Nat Hickey joined the active players' list in a game between the Steamrollers and the Washington Capitols. He played in games against the St. Louis Bombers and the New York Knicks, with the latter taking place on January 28, 1948, days before his 46th birthday.

Who is the oldest NBA player right now?

The question who is the oldest NBA player right now recognizes how physically demanding the basketball's top League is and at the same time, highlights how rare long careers are. According to 2026 estimates, the average career of an NBA player is 4.8 years.

While less than 5 years sounds quite short, it is worth noting that it is only the average career of an NBA player and there are plenty of examples that significantly exceed this duration. That is certainly the case for LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers' Forward, who is the oldest active NBA player.

Lebron James details at a glance

• Name: LeBron James
• Nickname: King James
• Date of birth: December 30, 1984
• Age: 41
• Height: 6'9" (2.06m)
• Weight: 250lb (113kg)
• Experience: 22 years
• Played for: 23 seasons
• Participated in: 1,588 regular-season games
• MPG (Minutes Per Game): 37.7
• PPG (Points Per Game): 22.3
• RPG (Rebounds Per Game): 6.0
• APG (Assists Per Game): 6.9
• Notable awards: 21 NBA All-Star, 3 NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 4 NBA Champion, 3 Olympic Gold Medal

The 41-year-old LeBron James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers between 2003 and 2010, Miami Heat from 2010 through 2014, the Cavaliers again between 2014 and 2018. Since 2018, he has been part of the Los Angeles Lakers and is recognized as the oldest active NBA player right now.

After 23 seasons in the League, LeBron James has played in 1,588 regular-season games. According to official NBA data, James holds a significant number of awards and honors. With more than 150 recognitions, he is a notable 21-time NBA All-Star, has three NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player awards, three Olympic Gold Medals, four NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards and many other honors.

Whenever sports industry analysts are evaluating the experience and balance of teams, they look into who is the oldest NBA player right now. Undoubtedly, LeBron James' presence on the Lakers, his mind-blowing experience and globally recognizable success inspire athletes who want to defy the expectations about the average length of career in the NBA.

In light of his lengthy career, LeBron James, nicknamed "King James," was recognized by Guinness World Records. On December 30, 2025, at age 41, Guinness World Records recognized James as the current oldest active NBA player.

It's no surprise that LeBron James also holds the Guinness World Record for the most points scored in an NBA career. On February 7, 2023, "King James" was recognized with the prestigious honor, highlighting the total number of 38,652 points accumulated throughout the time he played in the NBA.

Who are the second and third-oldest NBA players right now?

In December 2025, Chris Paul, the famous Guard for the Los Angeles Clippers used to hold the position of the second-oldest active NBA player with 20 years of experience. However, early in December, media reports suggested the Clippers decided to part ways with the 40-year-old player, confirming he will no longer serve on the team.

This unexpected turn of events effectively cleared the path for Kyle Lowry, the Philadelphia 76ers Guard to become the second-oldest active NBA player. Born March 25, 1986, Kyle Lowry is 39 years old and has 19 years of experience in the League. Throughout his career, Lowry played for the Memphis Grizzlies, the Houston Rockets, the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, and since 2024, the Philadelphia 76ers.

The third-oldest active NBA player is Garrett Temple, who plays as the Guard-Forward for the Toronto Raptors. Born on May 8, 1986, the 39-year-old player has 15 years of experience with the League. Throughout his extensive NBA career, Garrett Temple has played for different teams, and from 2023 up to the present moment, is part of the Raptors' roster.

The legacy of Lebron James

While some young basketball fans look up who is the oldest NBA player right now, others are aware of LeBron James' long-lasting legacy. His exceptional career stands out with unprecedented longevity, outstanding focus and relentless effort.

LeBron James' dedication to the NBA, ability to compete against significantly younger athletes, durability and professionalism are only a few of the reasons why he is at the center of discussions on who is the oldest NBA player right now. Extending his career in the League far beyond what is considered average, LeBron James continues to influence and inspire young athletes, basketball aficionados and resonates with millions of fans across the globe.

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