Basketball Reference Blog
Oldest Active NBA Players in the 2025-26 Season
Posted by Vivek Singh on June 22, 2023
(last updated on October 5, 2025)
The NBA is a league dominated by young athletes, but that doesn’t mean older veterans don’t have an important part to play in the game. There is a multitude of NBA players who, despite being past their athletic prime, have a major impact on their team. In fact, the league’s oldest player, who you may know, is still one of the best. So, we are going to have a look at some of the oldest active NBA players.
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James ▪ Instagram: kingjames
(King James, LBJ, Chosen One, Bron-Bron, The Little Emperor, The Akron Hammer, L-Train, Benjamin Buckets, Captain LeMerica)
Position: Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-9, 250lb (206cm, 113kg)
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Born:
December 30,
1984
Relatives: Son Bronny James
High School: St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio
Recruiting Rank: 2003 (1)
Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 2003 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 29, 2003
Experience: 22 years
- 21x All Star
- 2007-08 Scoring Champ
- 2019-20 AST Champ
- 4x NBA Champ
- 21x All-NBA
- 2003-04 All-Rookie
- 2003-04 ROY
- 3x AS MVP
- 6x All-Defensive
- 4x MVP
- 4x Finals MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
- 2023-24 IST MVP
2024-25
Career
70
1562
24.4
27.0
7.8
7.5
8.2
7.4
51.3
50.6
37.6
34.9
78.2
73.7
57.1
54.8
22.7
26.9
7.7
271.4
The current oldest player in the NBA needs no introduction … LeBron James. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. He was born in Akron, Ohio in 1984 and was already a standout athlete in high school. James was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft, and quickly established himself as a dominant force on the court.
Throughout his career, James has earned numerous accolades, including four NBA championships, four NBA MVP awards, and three Olympic gold medals. He has been named to the NBA All-Star team 21 times and is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players in NBA history.
James is known for his incredible athleticism, his ability to play multiple positions on the court, and his clutch performances in big games. He has also been recognized for his leadership both on and off the court, serving as a role model for young athletes and using his platform to advocate for social justice and other important causes.
Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his career, including criticism from fans and media, James has remained focused and dedicated to the game. He continues to be a dominant force in the NBA and a true legend of the sport.
Chris Paul
Christopher Emmanuel Paul ▪ Instagram: cp3
(CP3, The Point God, The Skate Instructor)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-0, 175lb (183cm, 79kg)
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Born:
May 6,
1985
College: Wake Forest
High School: West Forsyth in Clemmons, North Carolina
Recruiting Rank: 2003 (6)
Draft: New Orleans Hornets, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 2005 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 1, 2005
Experience: 20 years
- 12x All Star
- 5x AST Champ
- 6x STL Champ
- 11x All-NBA
- 2005-06 All-Rookie
- 2005-06 ROY
- 9x All-Defensive
- 2012-13 AS MVP
- NBA 75th Anniv. Team
2024-25
Career
82
1354
8.8
17.0
3.6
4.4
7.4
9.2
42.7
47.0
37.7
37.0
92.4
87.1
54.7
52.3
14.7
23.5
5.7
215.1
Chris Paul is currently reunited with the LA Clippers for his 21st season. CP3 has earned a reputation as one of the greatest point guards of all time. He was born in 1985 in North Carolina and went on to play college basketball at Wake Forest University before being drafted fourth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.
Throughout his career, Paul has played for multiple teams including the New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers (twice), Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs. He has been selected to the NBA All-Star team 12 times and has been named to the All-NBA team 11 times.
Paul’s career achievements also include being named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006, leading the league in assists five times, and being a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the United States men’s basketball team.
Jeff Green
Jeffrey Lynn Green ▪ Instagram: unclejeffgreen
(Uncle Jeff)
Position: Power Forward, Small Forward, and Center ▪ Shoots: Right
6-8, 235lb (203cm, 106kg)
Team: Houston Rockets
Born:
August 28,
1986
College: Georgetown
High School: Northwestern in Hyattsville, Maryland
Draft: Boston Celtics, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 2007 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: October 31, 2007
Experience: 17 years
2024-25
Career
32
1217
5.4
11.8
1.8
4.0
0.6
1.5
50.4
45.0
36.7
33.8
80.8
80.4
62.4
50.2
13.6
13.1
1.3
55.9
Jeff Green is a seasoned NBA veteran who has played for multiple teams throughout his career. The 6’8″ forward has proven to be a versatile player, capable of playing multiple positions and contributing in various ways. Green is known for his athleticism, scoring ability, and solid defense. He has played for teams such as the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. Green is respected by his peers and has been a valuable addition to every team he has played for.
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Terrell Lowry ▪ Instagram: kyle_lowry7
(Mr. Raptor, KLow, G.R.O.A.T., North Philly’s Finest, KLOE, Bulldog)
Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right
6-0, 196lb (183cm, 88kg)
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Born:
March 25,
1986
College: Villanova
High Schools: Northeast in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Dougherty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Recruiting Rank: 2004 (29)
Draft: Memphis Grizzlies, 1st round (24th pick, 24th overall), 2006 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 1, 2006
Experience: 19 years
2024-25
Career
35
1173
3.9
13.9
1.9
4.2
2.7
6.1
35.0
42.3
33.0
36.8
81.8
81.5
47.4
51.2
9.8
17.3
1.0
112.6
Another elder statesman in today’s NBA is Kyle Lowry. This Philly native and Villanova product has been in the Association since 2006. A six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, this scrappy guard is currently a member of his hometown 76ers.
Al Horford
Alfred Joel Horford ▪ Instagram: alhorford
(Full name Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso)
(Godfather, Big Al)
Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right
6-9, 240lb (206cm, 108kg)
Team: Golden State Warriors
Born:
June 3,
1986
Relatives: Brother Jon Horford; Father Tito Horford
College: Florida
High School: Grand Ledge in Grand Ledge, Michigan
Recruiting Rank: 2004 (47)
Draft: Atlanta Hawks, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 2007 NBA Draft
NBA Debut: November 2, 2007
Experience: 18 years
2024-25
Career
60
1138
9.0
12.9
6.2
7.9
2.1
3.2
42.3
50.9
36.3
37.7
89.5
76.3
54.7
55.0
12.9
17.8
4.4
117.3
Big Al, a member of the two-time NCAA champion Florida Gators way back in ’06 and ’07, is still holding it down. A notable post presence for years, Horford had his best years as an Atlanta Hawk and a Boston Celtic. In 2024, he finally got a ring in Boston. Now he enters his 19th season after signing with the Golden State Warriors.
FAQs
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the oldest active player is LeBron James, who will turn 41 on December 30, 2025. Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Garret Temple, and Al Horford round out the top five.
Join our Sports Reference Community
Of Statheads:
Subscribe to Stathead, the most powerful research tools in sports, and find any player, team, season, game, and any play. With over 80 different search tools for baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, you’ve got infinite answers at your finger tips.

With Our Email Newsletters:
Sign up for our newsletter and get curated stats, recaps, and more from the Basketball Reference to your inbox every morning. No commitment, unsubscribe at any time.

On Social Media:
Stay connected with Basketball Reference on social media! Bringing you stats, trivia, and more on all our channels daily.
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – TikTok – YouTube – Reddit – LinkedIn
Follow the rest of the Sports Reference sites on social here.

We're Social...for Statheads
Site Last Updated: Friday, May 1, 2:56PM
Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter
Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE
Your All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database
Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.