Father time is undefeated, but these oldest players in the NBA defied time for as long as they could to compete in the NBA.
Longevity in a physically demanding sport like basketball is rare, but several notable players were active all the way into their 40s including Vince Carter and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
However, nobody has ever topped Nat Hickey’s record of playing in the NBA in his mid-40s.
Nat Hickey is the oldest player in NBA history at 45 years and 363 days old when he played his final game.
Looking at the league currently, LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA today and he’s still doing it at a high level.
We’ll take a look at the top 10 oldest players in NBA history, as well as the top 10 oldest players that are still lacing up their shoes in the league.
Here are the oldest players in the NBA:
| Rank | Player | Age in final game | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Nat Hickey |
45 years, 363 days | 1947-1948 |
| 2 |  Kevin Willis |
44 years, 224 days | 1984-2007 |
| 3 |  Robert Parish |
43 years, 232 days | 1976-1997 |
| 4 |  Vince Carter |
43 years, 45 days | 1998-2020 |
| 5 |  Udonis Haslem |
43 years, 3 days | 2003-2023 |
| 6 |  Dikembe Mutombo |
42 years, 300 days | 1991-2009 |
| 7 |  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
42 years, 58 days | 1969-1989 |
| 8 |  Steve Nash |
41 years, 151 days | 1996-2015 |
| 9 |  Herb Williams |
41 years, 129 days | 1981-1999 |
| 10 |  Jason Kidd |
40 years, 213 days | 1994-2013 |
Nat Hickey | 45 years | 1947-1948Nat Hickey is the oldest player in NBA history. In his second and final game, he was 45 years and 363 days old.
Hickey had a short two-game career for the Providence Steamrollers in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which was the precursor to the NBA. Hickey was the head coach of the Steamrollers at the time and he activated himself for two games.
Kevin Willis | 44 years | 1984-2007Kevin Willis had a tremendous 21-year career and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history. He played his final game at 44 years and 224 days old.
Willis was a center who stood at 7-feet tall. He was a notable part of several playoff teams for the Atlanta Hawks and he won the NBA Championship in 2003 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Robert Parish | 43 years | 1976-1997Dominant center Robert Parish is one of the oldest players in NBA history. His final game came at the age of 43 years and 232 days old.
Parish was a former top 10 NBA draft pick in 1976 and he helped the Boston Celtics win three NBA titles in the 1980s. He won a fourth NBA title with the Chicago Bulls in 1997.
Parish was also teammates with Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, on the Charlotte Hornets.
Vince Carter | 43 years | 1998-2020Vince Carter played an incredible 22 years in the league and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history. He was 43 years and 45 days old in his final NBA game.
Carter was known for his athleticism and incredible dunks. He won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, an Olympic Gold Medal and he earned eight All-Star selections.
Udonis Haslem | 43 years | 2003-2023Udonis Haslem just wrapped up his legendary career for the Miami Heat and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Heat after being undrafted.
Haslem ended his NBA career at 43 years and three days old. He won three NBA titles with the Heat and he is their all-time leading rebounder.
Dikembe Mutombo | 42 years | 1991-2009Dikembe Mutombo, who played until he was 42 years and 300 days old, is one of the oldest players in NBA history.
He was drafted fourth overall partly because of his 7-foot-2 size. Mutombo was known for his shot blocking ability. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times and was an 8-time NBA All-Star.
Mutombo played with the two tallest players in NBA history – Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 42 years | 1969-1989Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the oldest players in NBA history. He wrapped up his legendary career, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers, at 42 years and 58 days old.
Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer until 2023. He won six NBA titles, six NBA MVP awards and he earned 19 All-Star selections.
Steve Nash | 41 years | 1996-2015Steve Nash played in the NBA until he was 41 years and 151 days old and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history. Nash spent most of his career with the Phoenix Suns.
Nash was an eight-time NBA All-Star and he won back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006.
Herb Williams | 41 years | 1981-1999Herb Williams had an 18-year NBA career and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history at 41 years and 129 days old.
Williams was a first round draft pick in 1981 and he was most well known for his time with the Indiana Pacers. Williams is in the top ten in rebounds, blocks and games played in Pacers history.
Jason Kidd | 40 years | 1994-2013Rounding out our list of top 10 oldest players in NBA history is Jason Kidd at 40 years and 213 days old.
He was a dynamic point guard that was a 10-time All-Star and he won the 2011 NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd also won two Olympic Gold Medals with the United States.
| Rank | Player | Age | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron James |
40 years | 2003-Present |
| 2 |  Chris Paul |
39 years | 2005-Present |
| 3 |  Taj Gibson |
39 years | 2009-Present |
| 4 |  Kyle Lowry |
38 years | 2006-Present |
| 5 | Garrett Temple |
38 years | 2009-Present |
| 6 | Al Horford |
38 years | 2007-Present |
| 7 |  Jeff Green |
38 years | 2007-Present |
| 8 | James Johnson |
38 years | 2009-Present |
| 9 |  Joe Ingles |
37 years | 2014-Present |
| 10 | Mike Conley |
37 years | 2007-Present |
LeBron James | 40 years | 2003-PresentLeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and he is the oldest player in the NBA today at 40 years old.
James has four NBA titles on his resume – two with the Heat and one each with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lakers. James holds the NBA record for most minutes played in a career and he is a four-time MVP.
Chris Paul | 39 years | 2005-PresentChris Paul is one of the best point guards in NBA history and he is the second oldest player in the NBA today as he is approaching his 40th birthday.
Paul is known for his excellent vision and passing ability. He has led the league in assists five times in addition to his 12 All-Star selections.
Taj Gibson | 39 years | 2009-PresentTaj Gibson is one of the oldest players in the NBA today as he is about 50 days younger than Chris Paul. Gibson has spent most of his career with the Bulls.
Gibson has also graced the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Hornets with his veteran presence in his career.
Kyle Lowry | 38 years | 2006-PresentIn addition to being one of the shortest players in the NBA today, Kyle Lowry is one of the oldest players in the NBA today. The 2019 NBA Champion with the Raptors has played nearly 20 years in the league.
Lowry is a six time NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist and the Toronto Raptors’ all-time leaders in steals, assists, 3-pointers and triple doubles.
Garrett Temple | 38 years | 2009-PresentJourneyman Garrett Temple is one of the oldest players in the NBA today. He has played for 12 different NBA teams in his 15-year career.
Temple is primarily a role player, most recently with the Raptors. Temple is just under 50 days younger than Lowry on the list of oldest players in the NBA currently.
Al Horford | 38 years | 2007-PresentVeteran Al Horford is about 25 days younger than Garrett Temple and he is on the list as one of the oldest players in the NBA today.
Horford won an NBA title with the Celtics in 2024 and he has earned five All-Star selections. Horford won back-to-back NCAA Championships with the Florida Gators in college in 2006 and 2007.
Jeff Green | 38 years | 2007-PresentJeff Green got drafted in the top five in 2007 and he is one of the oldest players in the NBA today having played for 11 teams in 17 seasons.
Green won an NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He holds the unique NBA record for having the most teammates (263) in NBA history.
James Johnson | 38 years | 2009-PresentJames Johnson is one of the oldest players in the NBA today. He’s had a lengthy career after being a first round draft pick by the Bulls in 2009.
Johnson has played for nine different NBA teams. He currently plays for the Pacers. Johnson is best known for his versatility and ability to play different roles.
Joe Ingles | 37 years | 2014-PresentJoe Ingles is also one of the oldest players in the NBA today. He’s spent most of his career with the Utah Jazz. He is the Jazz’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers.
Ingles didn’t make his NBA debut until 2014 so he hasn’t played a whole lot of seasons in the league relative to the rest of the players on this list.
Mike Conley | 37 years | 2007-PresentMike Conley, who is nine days younger than Joe Ingles, rounds out the top 10 oldest players in the NBA today.
Conley was a former top five pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and he spent 12 seasons there. He is known for being a solid defender and a veteran presence.
LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA right now at 40 years old. He’s won four NBA titles – two with the Miami Heat and one each with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. James holds the NBA record for most minutes played in a career and he is a four-time MVP.
The average age of NBA players is approximately 26 years old. As of February 2025, the median age of NBA players was also 26 years old. However, if you were to take the average age of NBA players and weigh them by minutes played, the value would skew high because the more experienced players tend to play more minutes.
The average age of NBA players has decreased over the years. The average age of NBA players peaked at 28.3 years old in the late 1990s. The slight decrease in average age of NBA players to what it is now is possibly due to more of an emphasis on young talent.
The legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played his final NBA game at 42 years and 58 days old, making him one of the oldest players in NBA history. The Hall of Famer spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won six NBA titles and six MVP awards in his career.
Andrew Bynum is the youngest player in NBA history when he made his debut at 18 years and six days old. Bynum was drafted right out of high school in the top 10 of the 2005 NBA Draft. Bynum will likely hold that record for a long time because the NBA now requires players to be at least 19 years old during the year of the draft.
Michael Jordan was 40 years and 58 days old at the time of his final NBA game for the Washington Wizards against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2003. Jordan just missed the list of the oldest players in NBA history. Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history as he won six NBA titles, all with the Chicago Bulls.
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