List of oldest and youngest NBA players

Steve Nash, the oldest active NBA player

This is a list of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a men's professional basketball league in North America. The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–50 season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).

The oldest person ever to play in the NBA was Nat Hickey, a coach who activated himself as a player for a game two days before his 46th birthday. The youngest player ever to play in the NBA was Andrew Bynum, who played his first game six days after his 18th birthday. The oldest active player is Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash, who is 40 years old. The youngest active player in the NBA is Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, who is 19 years old.

Key

Pos	G	F	C
Position	Guard	Forward	Center

Oldest players

Robert Parish is the third-oldest NBA player.

The oldest player ever to play in the NBA was Nat Hickey who played one game in the 1947–48 season when he was 45 years and 363 days old. Hickey, who was coaching the Providence Steamrollers at the time, decided to activate himself and played in a game for the Steamrollers. In his first and only game as a player for the Steamrollers, he missed all six of his shot attempts and only scored two points from three free throw attempts. The second oldest player is Kevin Willis. Willis, who had played 20 seasons (excluding the 1988–89 season he missed due to injury) in the league before he sat out the 2005–06 season, earned a contract with the Dallas Mavericks on April 2, 2007. He then played 5 games for the Mavericks at the age of 44. The third oldest player is Hall of Famer Robert Parish. Parish, who starred with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s, played his last season with the Chicago Bulls at the age of 43. He played in 1,611 regular season games during his 21-year career, more than any other player in NBA history. When the Bulls won the 1997 Finals, Parish became the oldest player ever to win the NBA championship. There are 22 players who played in the NBA after they turned 40.

The oldest active player is Steve Nash. Nash played his first game in 1996 at the age of 22 and is currently in his 18th season. There are currently nine players who were born in 1977 or earlier who are still active and under contract with an NBA team for the 2014–15 season.

All-time

*	Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
^	Denotes player who is still active in the NBA

Player	Pos	Birth date	Last game	Age	Team(s) played (years)	Draft (pick)	Ref.
Nat Hickey	G/F	January 30, 1902	January 28, 1948	45 years, 363 days	Providence Steamrollers (1948)	Undrafted
Kevin Willis	F/C	September 6, 1962	April 18, 2007	44 years, 224 days	8 teams Atlanta Hawks (1984–1994) Miami Heat (1994–1996) Golden State Warriors (1996) Houston Rockets (1996–1998) Toronto Raptors (1998–2001) Denver Nuggets (2001) Houston Rockets (2001–2002) San Antonio Spurs (2002–2004) Atlanta Hawks (2004–2005) Dallas Mavericks (2007)	1984 (11th)
Robert Parish*	C	August 30, 1953	May 11, 1997	43 years, 254 days	4 teams Golden State Warriors (1976–1980) Boston Celtics (1980–1994) Charlotte Hornets (1994–1996) Chicago Bulls (1996–1997)	1976 (8th)
Dikembe Mutombo	C	June 25, 1966	April 21, 2009	42 years, 300 days	6 teams Denver Nuggets (1991–1996) Atlanta Hawks (1996–2001) Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002) New Jersey Nets (2002–2003) New York Knicks (2003–2004) Houston Rockets (2004–2009)	1991 (4th)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*	C	April 16, 1947	April 22, 1989	42 years, 6 days	2 teams Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975) Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)	1969 (1st)
Bob Cousy*	G	August 9, 1928	January 6, 1970	41 years, 150 days	2 teams Boston Celtics (1950–1963) Cincinnati Royals (1969–1970)	1950 (3rd)
Herb Williams	C/F	February 16, 1958	June 25, 1999	41 years, 129 days	4 teams Indiana Pacers (1981–1989) Dallas Mavericks (1989–1992) New York Knicks (1992–1996) Toronto Raptors (1996) New York Knicks (1996–1999)	1981 (14th)
John Stockton*	G	March 26, 1962	April 30, 2003	41 years, 35 days	Utah Jazz (1984–2003)	1984 (16th)
Charles Jones	F/C	April 3, 1957	May 3, 1998	41 years, 30 days	5 teams Philadelphia 76ers (1984) Chicago Bulls (1984) Washington Bullets (1985–1993) Detroit Pistons (1994) Houston Rockets (1995–1998)	1979 (165th)
Karl Malone*	F	July 24, 1963	June 13, 2004	40 years, 325 days	2 teams Utah Jazz (1985–2003) Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)	1985 (13th)
Rick Mahorn	C/F	September 21, 1958	May 23, 1999	40 years, 244 days	4 teams Washington Bullets (1980–1985) Detroit Pistons (1985–1989) Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1991) New Jersey Nets (1992–1996) Detroit Pistons (1996–1998) Philadelphia 76ers (1999)	1980 (35th)
John Long	G/F	August 28, 1956	April 20, 1997	40 years, 235 days	4 teams Detroit Pistons (1978–1986) Indiana Pacers (1986–1989) Detroit Pistons (1989) Atlanta Hawks (1990) Detroit Pistons (1991) Toronto Raptors (1996–1997)	1978 (29th)
Grant Hill	F	October 5, 1972	May 3, 2013	40 years, 210 days	4 teams Detroit Pistons (1994–2000) Orlando Magic (2000–2007) Phoenix Suns (2007–2012) Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2013)	1994 (3rd)
James Edwards	C/F	November 22, 1955	May 27, 1996	40 years, 187 days	8 teams Los Angeles Lakers (1977) Indiana Pacers (1977–1981) Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1983) Phoenix Suns (1983–1988) Detroit Pistons (1988–1991) Los Angeles Clippers (1991–1992) Los Angeles Lakers (1992–1994) Portland Trail Blazers (1994–1995) Chicago Bulls (1995–1996)	1977 (46th)
Kurt Thomas	F	October 4, 1972	March 18, 2013	40 years, 165 days	9 teams Miami Heat (1995–1997) Dallas Mavericks (1997–1998) New York Knicks (1998–2005) Phoenix Suns (2005–2007) Seattle SuperSonics (2007–2008) San Antonio Spurs (2008–2009) Milwaukee Bucks (2009–2010) Chicago Bulls (2010–2011) Portland Trail Blazers (2011–2012) New York Knicks (2012–2013)	1995 (10th)
Steve Nash^	G	February 7, 1974	Currently active	50 years, 216 days	3 teams Phoenix Suns (1996–1998) Dallas Mavericks (1998–2004) Phoenix Suns (2004–2012) Los Angeles Lakers (2012–present)	1996 (15th)
Cliff Robinson	F/C	December 16, 1966	May 12, 2007	40 years, 147 days	5 teams Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1997) Phoenix Suns (1997–2001) Detroit Pistons (2001–2003) Golden State Warriors (2003–2005) New Jersey Nets (2005–2007)	1989 (36th)
Charles Oakley	F/C	December 18, 1963	April 2, 2004	40 years, 106 days	5 teams Chicago Bulls (1985–1988) New York Knicks (1988–1998) Toronto Raptors (1998–2001) Chicago Bulls (2001–2002) Washington Wizards (2002–2003) Houston Rockets (2004)	1985 (9th)
Juwan Howard	F	February 7, 1973	April 17, 2013	40 years, 69 days	8 teams Washington Bullets / Wizards (1994–2001) Dallas Mavericks (2001–2002) Denver Nuggets (2002–2003) Orlando Magic (2003–2004) Houston Rockets (2004–2007) Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008) Denver Nuggets (2008) Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2009) Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2010) Miami Heat (2010–2012; 2013)	1994 (5th)
Michael Jordan*	G/F	February 17, 1963	April 16, 2003	40 years, 58 days	2 teams Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998) Washington Wizards (2001–2003)	1984 (3rd)
Jason Kidd	G	March 23, 1973	May 18, 2013	40 years, 56 days	4 teams Dallas Mavericks (1994–1996) Phoenix Suns (1996–2001) New Jersey Nets (2001–2008) Dallas Mavericks (2008–2012) New York Knicks (2012–2013)	1994 (2nd)
Danny Schayes	C/F	May 10, 1959	May 13, 1999	40 years, 3 days	7 teams Utah Jazz (1981–1983) Denver Nuggets (1983–1990) Milwaukee Bucks (1990–1994) Los Angeles Lakers (1994) Phoenix Suns (1994–1995) Miami Heat (1995–1996) Orlando Magic (1996–1999)	1981 (13th)

Active

Player	Pos	Birth date	Age	Team(s) played (years)	Draft (pick)	Ref.
Steve Nash	G	February 7, 1974	50 years, 216 days	3 teams Phoenix Suns (1996–1998) Dallas Mavericks (1998–2004) Phoenix Suns (2004–2012) Los Angeles Lakers (2012–present)	1996 (15th)
Andre Miller	G	March 19, 1976	48 years, 175 days	6 teams Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2002) Los Angeles Clippers (2002–2003) Denver Nuggets (2003–2006) Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009) Portland Trail Blazers (2009–2011) Denver Nuggets (2011–2014) Washington Wizards (2014–present)	1999 (8th)
Tim Duncan	F/C	April 25, 1976	48 years, 138 days	San Antonio Spurs (1997–present)	1997 (1st)
Kevin Garnett	F	May 19, 1976	48 years, 114 days	3 teams Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007) Boston Celtics (2007–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–present)	1995 (5th)
Vince Carter	G/F	January 26, 1977	47 years, 228 days	6 teams Toronto Raptors (1998–2004) New Jersey Nets (2004–2009) Orlando Magic (2009–2010) Phoenix Suns (2010–2011) Dallas Mavericks (2011–2014) Memphis Grizzlies (2014–present)	1998 (5th)
Pablo Prigioni	G	May 17, 1977	47 years, 116 days	New York Knicks (2012–present)	Undrafted
Manu Ginóbili	F/G	July 28, 1977	47 years, 44 days	San Antonio Spurs (2002–present)	1999 (57th)
Jason Terry	G	September 15, 1977	46 years, 361 days	5 teams Atlanta Hawks (1999–2004) Dallas Mavericks (2003–2012) Boston Celtics (2012–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) Sacramento Kings (2014–present)	1999 (10th)
Paul Pierce	F	October 13, 1977	46 years, 333 days	3 teams Boston Celtics (1998–2013) Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014) Washington Wizards (2014–present)	1998 (10th)

The following players are still active during the 2013–14 season but are currently free agents.

Player	Pos	Birth date	Age	Team(s) played (years)	Draft (pick)	Ref.
Mike James	G	June 23, 1975	49 years, 79 days	11 teams Miami Heat (2001–2003) Boston Celtics (2003–2004) Detroit Pistons (2004) Milwaukee Bucks (2004–2005) Houston Rockets (2005) Toronto Raptors (2005–2006) Minnesota Timberwolves (2006–2007) Houston Rockets (2007–2008) New Orleans Hornets (2008) Washington Wizards (2008–2010) Chicago Bulls (2012) Dallas Mavericks (2013) Chicago Bulls (2013–2014)	Undrafted
Ray Allen	G	July 20, 1975	49 years, 52 days	4 teams Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003) Seattle SuperSonics (2003–2007) Boston Celtics (2007–2012) Miami Heat (2012–2014)	1996 (5th)
Antawn Jamison	F	June 12, 1976	48 years, 90 days	6 teams Golden State Warriors (1998–2003) Dallas Mavericks (2003–2004) Washington Wizards (2004–2010) Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2012) Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013) Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2014)	1998 (4th)
Chauncey Billups	G	September 25, 1976	47 years, 351 days	7 teams Boston Celtics (1997–1998) Toronto Raptors (1998) Denver Nuggets (1999–2000) Minnesota Timberwolves (2000–2002) Detroit Pistons (2002–2008) Denver Nuggets (2008–2011) New York Knicks (2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2011–2013) Detroit Pistons (2013–2014)	1997 (3rd)
Nazr Mohammed	C	September 5, 1977	47 years, 5 days	8 teams Philadelphia 76ers (1998–2001) Atlanta Hawks (2001–2004) New York Knicks (2004–2005) San Antonio Spurs (2005–2006) Detroit Pistons (2006–2007) Charlotte Bobcats (2007–2011) Oklahoma City Thunder (2011–2012) Chicago Bulls (2012–2014)	1998 (29th)
Kenyon Martin	F	December 30, 1977	46 years, 255 days	4 teams New Jersey Nets (2000–2004) Denver Nuggets (2003–2011) Los Angeles Clippers (2012) New York Knicks (2013–2014)	2000 (1st)

Youngest players

Andrew Bynum is the youngest player ever to play in the NBA.

NBA players usually come from U.S. college basketball. In the past, a college player had to complete his four-year college eligibility before he could enter the league through the NBA Draft or as a free agent. In the 1970s, the league began to allow college underclassmen and high school players to enter the league. However, the trend of drafting high school players only began in the mid 1990s. This has led to more younger players entering the league directly after high school graduation. In 2005, the league and the players' union agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement that includes a minimum age limit which requires that players who wish to enter the league must be at least 19 years old on December 31 of the year of the draft, and at least one year removed from high school. International players who did not play college basketball also have to be at least 19 years old on the same date to be able to play in the NBA. Despite a trend toward drafting younger players, the NBA has a higher average age than it had in the 1980s. However, since the NBA introduced the minimum age limit in 2005, the league's average age has decreased in the past few seasons.

The youngest player ever to play in the NBA was Andrew Bynum who played his first game at the age of 18 years and 6 days old. Bynum, who was also the youngest player ever selected in the NBA Draft, went into the NBA straight out of high school. Jermaine O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, both drafted in 1996, were the second and third youngest players. Serbian Darko Miličić was the youngest player ever to play in an NBA Final game. He played for the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of the 2004 Finals at the age of 18 years and 356 days old. The Pistons won the 2004 Finals and Miličić became the youngest player ever to win the NBA championship. There are 24 players who played in the NBA before they turned 19. 19 of them came to the league straight out of high school, while 5 of them are international players who never played basketball in the U.S. high schools or colleges before they entered the NBA.

The youngest active player in the NBA is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo, the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, is among three active players who were born in 1994. There are currently 20 active players who were born in 1993 or later.

All-time

^	Denotes player who is still active in the NBA as of the 2013–14 season

Player	Pos	Birth date	First game	Age	Team(s) played (years)	Draft (pick)	Ref.
Andrew Bynum^	C	October 27, 1987	November 2, 2005	18 years, 6 days	3 teams Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2012) Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–2014) Indiana Pacers (2014)	2005 (10th)
Jermaine O'Neal^	F/C	October 13, 1978	December 5, 1996	18 years, 53 days	7 teams Portland Trail Blazers (1996–2000) Indiana Pacers (2000–2008) Toronto Raptors (2008–2009) Miami Heat (2009–2010) Boston Celtics (2010–2012) Phoenix Suns (2012–2013) Golden State Warriors (2013–2014)	1996 (17th)
Kobe Bryant^	G	August 23, 1978	November 3, 1996	18 years, 72 days	Los Angeles Lakers (1996–present)	1996 (13th)
Darko Miličić	F/C	June 20, 1985	October 31, 2003	18 years, 133 days	6 teams Detroit Pistons (2003–2006) Orlando Magic (2006–2007) Memphis Grizzlies (2007–2009) New York Knicks (2009–2010) Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2012) Boston Celtics (2012)	2003 (2nd)
Stan Brown	F	June 27, 1929	November 13, 1947	18 years, 139 days	Philadelphia Warriors (1947–1948, 1951–1952)	Undrafted
Bill Willoughby	F/C	May 20, 1957	October 23, 1975	18 years, 156 days	6 teams Atlanta Hawks (1975–1977) Buffalo Braves (1977–1978) Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–1980) Houston Rockets (1980–1982) San Antonio Spurs (1982–1983) New Jersey Nets (1983–1984)	1975 (19th)
Tracy McGrady	F	May 24, 1979	October 31, 1997	18 years, 160 days	7 teams Toronto Raptors (1997–2000) Orlando Magic (2000–2004) Houston Rockets (2004–2010) New York Knicks (2010) Detroit Pistons (2010–2011) Atlanta Hawks (2011–2012) San Antonio Spurs (2013)	1997 (9th)
Yaroslav Korolev	F	May 7, 1987	November 4, 2005	18 years, 181 days	Los Angeles Clippers (2005–2007)	2005 (12th)
Andris Biedriņš	C	April 2, 1986	November 5, 2004	18 years, 217 days	2 teams Golden State Warriors (2004–2013) Utah Jazz (2013–2014)	2004 (11th)
C. J. Miles^	G	March 18, 1987	November 14, 2005	18 years, 241 days	3 teams Utah Jazz (2005–2012) Cleveland Cavaliers (2012–2014) Indiana Pacers (2014–present)	2005 (34th)
Amir Johnson^	F	May 1, 1987	January 24, 2006	18 years, 268 days	2 teams Detroit Pistons (2005–2009) Toronto Raptors (2009–present)	2005 (56th)
Darryl Dawkins	C	January 11, 1957	October 27, 1975	18 years, 289 days	4 teams Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1982) New Jersey Nets (1982–1987) Utah Jazz (1987) Detroit Pistons (1987–1989)	1975 (5th)
Joe Graboski	F/C	January 15, 1930	November 6, 1948	18 years, 296 days	6 teams Chicago Stags (1948–1950) Indianapolis Olympians (1951–1953) Philadelphia Warriors (1953–1961) St. Louis Hawks (1961) Chicago Packers (1961) Syracuse Nationals (1961–1962)	Undrafted
LeBron James^	F	December 30, 1984	October 29, 2003	18 years, 303 days	2 teams Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010) Miami Heat (2010–2014) Cleveland Cavaliers (2014–present)	2003 (1st)
Jonathan Bender	F	January 30, 1981	December 10, 1999	18 years, 314 days	2 teams Indiana Pacers (1999–2006) New York Knicks (2009)	1999 (5th)
Giannis Antetokounmpo^	G/F	December 16, 1994	October 30, 2013	18 years, 318 days	Milwaukee Bucks (2013–present)	2013 (15th)
Eddy Curry	C	December 5, 1982	October 31, 2001	18 years, 330 days	4 teams Chicago Bulls (2001–2005) New York Knicks (2005–2010) Miami Heat (2011–2012) Dallas Mavericks (2012)	2001 (4th)
Dwight Howard^	C/F	December 8, 1985	November 3, 2004	18 years, 331 days	3 teams Orlando Magic (2004–2012) Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013) Houston Rockets (2013–present)	2004 (1st)
Jim Browne	C	January 1, 1930	November 30, 1948	18 years, 334 days	2 teams Chicago Stags (1948–1949) Denver Nuggets (1949–1950)	Undrafted
Josh Smith^	F	December 5, 1985	November 3, 2004	18 years, 334 days	2 teams Atlanta Hawks (2004–2013) Detroit Pistons (2013–present)	2004 (17th)
Martell Webster^	G/F	December 4, 1986	November 4, 2005	18 years, 335 days	3 teams Portland Trail Blazers (2005–2010) Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2012) Washington Wizards (2012–present)	2005 (6th)
Robert Swift	C	December 3, 1985	November 3, 2004	18 years, 336 days	Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (2004–2009)	2004 (12th)
Maciej Lampe	F	February 5, 1985	January 23, 2004	18 years, 352 days	3 teams Phoenix Suns (2003–2005) New Orleans Hornets (2005–2006) Houston Rockets (2006)	2003 (30th)
Al Harrington^	F	February 17, 1980	February 5, 1999	18 years, 353 days	7 teams Indiana Pacers (1998–2004) Atlanta Hawks (2004–2006) Indiana Pacers (2006–2007) Golden State Warriors (2007–2008) New York Knicks (2008–2010) Denver Nuggets (2010–2012) Orlando Magic (2012–2013) Washington Wizards (2013–2014)	1998 (25th)

Active

Player	Pos	Birth date	Age	Team(s) played (years)	Draft (pick)	Ref.
Giannis Antetokounmpo	G/F	December 16, 1994	29 years, 269 days	Milwaukee Bucks (2013–present)	2013 (15th)
Archie Goodwin	G	August 17, 1994	30 years, 24 days	Phoenix Suns (2013–present)	2013 (29th)
Nerlens Noel	C	April 10, 1994	30 years, 153 days	Philadelphia 76ers (2013–present)	2013 (6th)
Sergey Karasev	G/F	October 26, 1993	30 years, 320 days	2 teams Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–2014) Brooklyn Nets (2014–present)	2013 (19th)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	F	September 26, 1993	30 years, 350 days	Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets (2012–present)	2012 (2nd)
Dennis Schröder	G	September 15, 1993	30 years, 361 days	Atlanta Hawks (2013–present)	2013 (17th)
Andre Drummond	C	August 10, 1993	31 years, 31 days	Detroit Pistons (2012–present)	2012 (9th)
Steven Adams	C	July 28, 1993	31 years, 44 days	Oklahoma City Thunder (2013–present)	2013 (12th)
Grant Jerrett	F	July 8, 1993	31 years, 64 days	Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–present)	2013 (40th)
Bradley Beal	G	June 28, 1993	31 years, 74 days	Washington Wizards (2012–present)	2012 (3rd)
Alex Len	C	June 16, 1993	31 years, 86 days	Phoenix Suns (2013–present)	2013 (5th)
Otto Porter	F	June 3, 1993	31 years, 99 days	Washington Wizards (2013–present)	2013 (3rd)
Maurice Harkless	G/F	May 11, 1993	31 years, 122 days	Orlando Magic (2012–present)	2012 (15th)
Tony Wroten	G	April 13, 1993	31 years, 150 days	2 teams Memphis Grizzlies (2012–2013) Philadelphia 76ers (2013–present)	2012 (25th)
Anthony Bennett	F	March 14, 1993	31 years, 180 days	Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–present)	2013 (1st)
Anthony Davis	F/C	March 11, 1993	31 years, 183 days	New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2012–present)	2012 (1st)
Marquis Teague	G	February 28, 1993	31 years, 195 days	2 teams Chicago Bulls (2012–2014) Brooklyn Nets (2014–present)	2012 (29th)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	G	February 18, 1993	31 years, 205 days	Detroit Pistons (2013–present)	2013 (8th)
Ben McLemore	G	February 11, 1993	31 years, 212 days	Sacramento Kings (2013–present)	2013 (7th)

See also

• List of oldest professional athletes by sport

References

General

• "Player Season Finder: For single seasons; played in the NBA/BAA; in the regular season; from 1946-47; in last season; sorted by descending age". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
• "Player Season Finder: For single seasons; played in the NBA/BAA; in the regular season; in 2012–13; is active; sorted by descending age". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
• "Player Season Finder: For single seasons; played in the NBA/BAA; in the regular season; from 1946-47; in rookie season; sorted by ascending age". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
• "Player Season Finder: For single seasons; played in the NBA/BAA; in the regular season; in 2012–13; is active; sorted by ascending age". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2013.

Specific