LeBron James Reflects on 22nd NBA All-Star Selection

At 41, James is the oldest active player to be named an NBA All-Star

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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LeBron James has been named an NBA All-Star 22 times, a feat that he calls "humbling" and a "blessing." James opened up about the emotional reality of being selected to the All-Star team year after year, even at an age when most players are long retired. He reflected on his childhood dreams of watching the All-Star Game and now being "that guy" that the next generation of players looks up to.

Why it matters

James' 22 consecutive All-Star selections are a testament to his longevity and sustained excellence in the NBA. At 41 years old, he is the oldest active player to be named an All-Star, a distinction he shares with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This achievement highlights James' ability to continue producing at an elite level well into the latter stages of his career.

The details

James entered the NBA as a teenager straight out of Akron, Ohio, and has been an All-Star selection every year since his second season. He did not make the All-Star team as a rookie, but in his sophomore campaign, he put up 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, earning him a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster. James' 22 consecutive All-Star selections are the most in NBA history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar' s 19.

  • LeBron James was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his second season (2003-04).
  • James has been selected to the NBA All-Star team every year since then, a streak that now stands at 22 consecutive selections.
  • At 41 years old, James is the oldest active player to be named an NBA All-Star, a distinction he shares with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The players

LeBron James

A 41-year-old NBA player who has been selected to the NBA All-Star team a record 22 times, the most in league history.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

A former NBA player who, like LeBron James, was selected to the NBA All-Star team after turning 40 years old, a feat accomplished by only the two players.

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What they’re saying

“Humbling, and it's a blessing. Obviously, it was never a goal of mine to be, '22 All-Star appearance,' like, I definitely wanted to be in the All-Star Game growing up,”

— LeBron James (Mind the Game podcast)

The takeaway

LeBron James' 22 consecutive NBA All-Star selections are a remarkable achievement that speaks to his longevity and sustained excellence at the highest level of the sport. Even at 41 years old, James continues to defy the odds and remain one of the league's premier players, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game.