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Who is the oldest NBA player? (All-time and active)
By Andrew Buller-Russ,
2023-12-30
The National Basketball Association was founded on July 6, 1946. In the 77 years since, over 4,700 NBA players have participated in a game.
There has never been an older player than Nat Hickey, who still holds the record for oldest NBA player ever , set back in 1948. Hickey was 45 years and 363 days old. The great story there is he was actually the team’s coach but chose to activate himself and play the sport instead.
For Hickey to have held the record for 74 years and counting, it seems like an unlikely record to be broken. After all, there won’t be any more coaches suiting up for their organizations any time soon. So, who is the oldest player in the NBA right now?
The oldest active NBA players change from season to season and even month to month. Counting down in reverse order, here are the oldest NBA players in 2024.
10. James Johnson continues to fight off Father Time
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
James Johnson date of birth – 2/20/1987
James Johnson age – 36 years old
Despite playing just 18 games for the Indiana Pacers last season, James Johnson returned for another stint in the Hoosier State. He’s now one of the oldest players in the NBA, and with Pascal Siakam’s departure, Johnson earned a full-time contract instead of playing on 10-day agreements.
9. Atlanta’s Wesley Matthews joins list of NBA’s oldest players
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Wesley Matthews date of birth – 10/14/1986
Wesley Matthews age – 37 years old
We have a first-timer here with Matthews, who has concluded his 15th NBA season, playing for the eighth different team in his career. Yet, Matthews is still chasing a chance to win his first NBA championship.
8. Jeff Green still playing the game he loves at age 37
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Green date of birth – 8/28/1986
Jeff Green age – 37 years old
Having just wrapped up his 16th NBA season, if there’s anyone who understands what it’s like to have the game taken away before he’s ready to retire, it’s Jeff Green. The former Seattle SuperSonic had to sit out the entire 2011-12 season due to a heart condition, but he returned and played 81 out of 82 games the following season and hasn’t had an issue since. Now Green’s one of the oldest and longest-tenured NBA players today.
7. Al Horford’s return earns him spot among oldest players in NBA
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Al Horford date of birth – 6/3/1986
Al Horford age – 37 years old
What does playing 16 years in the NBA get you? Like Horford’s realizing, it earns him a place on the list of the oldest players in the NBA today. In year 17, the five-time All-Star is still chasing his first NBA championship ring after becoming a two-time NCAA champion in college. The Celtics have as good of a chance as any team to help in his pursuit.
6. Garrett Temple’s well-traveled career makes him one of NBA’s oldest players
Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Garrett Temple date of birth – 5/8/1986
Garrett Temple age – 37 years old
Some players may not be thrilled to be on a list of the oldest active NBA players, but then again, Garrett Temple is likely just happy to still get to play the game he loves. He’s played for 11 different NBA teams and even went overseas to play in Italy for a bit, but now the versatile guard is closing out his career with the Toronto Raptors, which is his 12th team.
A six-time All-Star who has played with five different franchises, Lowry is among the oldest active NBA players. Yet, unlike many others on this list, he’s no longer chasing a ring, as Lowry won the NBA Finals back in 2019 with Toronto. Now in his 18th NBA season, Lowry is doing his best to help the Philadelphia 76ers get as far as they can in the playoffs.
One of the oldest NBA players in the game today, Taj Gibson has bounced around the league over the past few years, and now he’s landed with the Detroit Pistons. While he was known for being a strong defensive presence during his heyday, Gibson hasn’t played more than 1,000 minutes since 2020.
3. Chris Paul still ticking, despite status among oldest NBA players
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Paul date of birth – 5/6/1985
Chris Paul age – 38 years old
They say you gain wisdom as you age. Chris Paul is doing his best to prove these theories true. Despite his advanced age, CP3 led the NBA in assists per game during the 2021-22 season. As one of the oldest NBA players, Paul will retire as one of the distributors in basketball history, but pursuing his first ring by joining the Warriors didn’t work out the way anyone hoped.
2. At age 38, P.J. Tucker’s long-traveled career continues
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
P.J. Tucker date of birth – 5/5/1985
P.J. Tucker age – 38 years old
In his 13th season, PJ Tucker has an incredible tale of what it’s like to not be able to play basketball in the pros. After being selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker spent the next five years playing in Israel, Ukraine, Germany, and Italy before making his way back onto an NBA team, where he’s stayed ever since. After winning an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, Tucker is now on the Los Angeles Clippers as the second-oldest active NBA player.
1. How old is LeBron James? Lakers star becomes oldest current NBA player
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James date of birth – 12/30/1984
LeBron James age – 39 years old
LeBron James is the oldest NBA player today. King James is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, but the 19-time NBA All-Star still averaged 25.7 points per game in his 21st season. Many believe LBJ wants to play until his son, Bronny James, reaches the NBA. It doesn’t seem like a ridiculous thought at this point.
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