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LeBron James Makes Admission on His Longevity Before 23rd NBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Elie Deglaoui | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 10:04 AM ET

Once he suits up for his first game of the 2025-26 NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will play in his league-record 23rd season. His 22 NBA seasons are for the most with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Vince Carter.

Many players have played for a long time in the NBA. Eleven of them have appeared in 20 or more seasons. What makes James' longevity so impressive, however, is that he still has not lost much of his skill set.

The Ohio native has constantly played at a high level, and that was no different last season, when he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and one steal per game. Additionally, he finished sixth in MVP voting at 40 years old.

Just a few weeks away from the start of the new season, James provided some insight into his longevity and made an admission about why he can still play at such a high level over two decades into his NBA career.

LeBron James Speaks on His Longevity Before His 23rd NBA Season

In a recent interview on "The Main Thing" limited video series with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, James discussed with Hawk their ability to perform at a high level, even with all the years they have put into their craft.

During the conversation, James revealed that he still loves the training and all the little things about being on the court, which is why his love for the game of basketball has not faded. That makes it easier for him to stay in the league for as long as he has.

"I love to train, still. I love to go out and just feel the basketball, get on the court, watch the ball float through the air, go through the net, hear the ball bounce, hear the shoes screech on the floor. It still feels like the first time I picked up a ball, the first time I stepped inside a middle school gym and then a high school gym as a freshman. I still have those rookie feelings when I first was drafted as a pro. I wake up early in the morning, I pack my bag, get all my essentials I need for that workout, and then when I hit the court, it's like ‘Wow, this is still a beautiful feeling,’” James said.

For years, many have wondered when the four-time NBA MVP will hang it up. While it is safe to assume that day is coming sooner rather than later, it is clear that James still loves what he does and is not interested in retiring just yet.

This upcoming season will be a big one for James. Not only will he break Carter's record of most seasons played, but he will look to help the Lakers compete for a championship and potentially win his fifth ring. James is already considered by many to be the greatest basketball player the world has ever seen, but depending on how this season goes for him, it might cement his status even more.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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