LeBron James is about to tip off his 24th season in the NBA, and if that doesn’t blow your mind, check this out: he’s doing it at 41 years old, the oldest player in the whole league. He’s also starting his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers, which is just another twist in a career full of them.
The Age Gap Is Insane
Think about that for a second. Twenty-four seasons. This dude has been playing basketball for so long, the league is now packed with players who could literally be his kids. We’re talking about guys like Cooper Flagg, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, who is just 19 and turns 20 in December. Then there’s A.J. Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick from this year’s NBA Draft, who’s even younger, hitting 20 next January. These guys were toddlers, or not even born, when LeBron first stepped onto an NBA court in 2003. It’s truly wild to think about that kind of longevity.
His Teammates Are Just as Blown Away
But what really drives it home is when you hear from his own teammates. V.J. Edgecombe, the Sixers’ 2025 first-round pick who turned 21 in July and is heading into his second NBA season after playing one year at Baylor, can’t even believe it. He told ESPN’s Malika Andrews, “I ain’t gonna lie, I thought he was going to retire like a few years ago. So I’m like, ‘Man, I’ll never catch LeBron James in the NBA.” Edgecombe then dropped the absolute killer line about their age difference: “He’s exactly old enough to be my dad, which is crazy. His son is older than me, which is crazy.” And yeah, he’s not wrong. Bronny James just hit 22 on October 6 and is in his third NBA season. Imagine that, your teammate’s kid is older than you. That’s just wild.
Even the Vets Feel It
It’s not just the rookies feeling this time warp, either. Even a more seasoned player like Jaylen Brown, who’s been around the league, admitted the feeling of playing alongside James. Brown said, “The 12-year-old in me is, like, over the moon. No glaze, but you’re playing with one of the greatest.” That’s a guy who grew up watching LeBron dominate, admiring the four-time MVP, and now he’s sharing the court with him. It just shows the insane impact and longevity of LeBron’s career. This guy truly is a generation-spanning legend.
So, get ready for a season where LeBron James continues to defy Father Time, playing with guys who literally thought they’d never even see him on an NBA court. The 76ers kick off their 2026-27 NBA season on Tuesday, facing off against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This is going to be something else, man.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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