Ian Casselberry Contributing writer Mon, October 19, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 41 years old, LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA as he begins his 24th season, his first with the Philadelphia 76ers.
While the league constantly replenishes with players who only played one year of college basketball, James is now facing players half his age — or maybe even less than half his age.
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For instance, Cooper Flagg — last season's NBA Rookie of the Year — is 19 years old and will turn 20 in December. A.J. Dybantsa, this year's No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft , is just a bit younger, turning 20 next January.
Another of the league's youngest players is now a teammate. V.J. Edgecombe turned 21 in July and is going into his second NBA season. He was the Sixers' 2025 first-round pick (No. 3 overall) after playing one season at Baylor.
Speaking to ESPN's Malika Andrews, Edgecombe acknowledged that he didn't think he'd ever play in a game with James, let alone be on the same team with him.
"I ain't gonna lie, I thought he was going to retire like a few years ago," Edgecombe said. "So I'm like, 'Man, I'll never catch LeBron James in the NBA."'
"He's exactly old enough to be my dad, which is crazy," he added. "His son is older than me, which is crazy."
Edgecombe is right on that. Bronny James just turned 22 years old on Oct. 6 and is going into his third NBA season.
Even a more veteran teammate like Jaylen Brown was a child when James began his NBA career in 2003. Brown remembers growing up as a basketball fan watching and admiring the four-time MVP.
"The 12-year-old in me is, like, over the moon," he said. "No glaze, but you're playing with one of the greatest."
The 76ers tip off the 2026-27 NBA season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the defending champion New York Knicks.
Source: Sports
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