LeBron James has played the most seasons in his career with an active player, with 21 seasons. To play in the NBA, the highest level of basketball in the world, players must possess otherworldly abilities that surpass their peers. He will also be on the court with his son Bronny James next season, marking the first time in NBA history that a father and son play together. Thaddeus Young, another player who has played laps in the league, has played 1,172 games in the NBA over 17 seasons.
In 1985-86, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the previous NBA record of 16 seasons held by Dolph Schayes, John Havlicek, Paul Silas and Elvin Hayes; he finished his career in 1988-89 with a record of 20 seasons played. Despite possessing the skills needed to survive in the NBA, many players are unable to maintain consistency and replicate that long-term success, bringing the average length of an NBA player's career to only 4.5 years. Only ten players in NBA history have played 20 or more seasons in their respective careers. Land of Basketball is a website for sports fans.
For official NBA information, visit the NBA website. In such a fast and physically challenging game, not many can last two decades in the NBA, as the sport seriously affects the athlete's body. Three other great basketball players played for 20 seasons: Los Angeles Lakers legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant, and Jamal Crawford, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner. After the “21 Club”, we have four other basketball greats who played for 20 seasons: Los Angeles Lakers legends, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the late Kobe Bryant, Jamal Crawford, three-time winner of the NBA's sixth man of the year award, and Udonis Haslem, of the Miami Heat. Over the years, these players have carved a place in NBA Summer League history with unprecedented performances in Las Vegas.
LeBron James is currently the oldest player in the NBA, with 1492 games and 21 seasons. In addition to LeBron, there are two other players who are ready to register their 20th year in the NBA this season. The eight-time All-Star first played with the Toronto Raptors in 1998 and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1999.
