Source: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty
An elder statesman in the league, he turns 40 amidst his 22 years in the league, meaning he’s been balling in the
NBA for more than half his life.
Entering his fourth decade of life, he still averages nearly 24 points this season as the
Los Angeles Lakers currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with an 18-13 record.
Dominating the league for this long comes with a few perks, including being etched in the all-time leader history books. Honors James has racked up include being atop the all-time scoring list with more than 41,000 points and the most minutes played. He is also creeping up the all-time 3-pointer list, currently sitting in seventh place after besting
Kyle Korver just a few weeks ago.
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His storied career also comes with some impressive hardware, beginning with 2004’s Rookie of the Year four NBA Championships spread over three teams, alongside four-time NBA Finals MVPs, a scoring champion, three Olympic gold medals, and the inaugural
NBA Cup in 2023.
Being the oldest active NBA player has also yielded what may be his most personal achievement. Thanks to his son Bronny, they became the first father-son duo on the same team when he took the floor alongside him early in the 2024-25 season.
His marketability has also helped him off the court. Thanks to Nike, he boasts one of the most lucrative sports partnerships. His business acumen has led to working with companies like Blaze Pizza and a
minority stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool.
Along with launching his own media production company, SpringHill Entertainment, with childhood best friend, Maverick Carter, his own
beard care line, and his own media platform,
The Shop, he’s become the first active NBA player to
become a billionaire.
Ironically, the Lakers are set to play his hometown
Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. If he plays, he’ll become the first player to play even as a teenager and in his 40s, giving fans another chance to witness greatness.
See below how social media is celebrating James’ 40th birthday.
