List of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players - wikipedia List of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players Vince Carter, 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 Atlanta Hawks guard / forward Vince Carter, who is currently 41 years old. The youngest active player in the NBA is Indiana Pacers forward / center Ike Anigbogu, the 47th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, who is currently 19 years old and became the second college player to go from one year of college to the NBA while still playing at 18 years old. Contents 1 Key 2 Oldest players 2.1 All time 2.2 Active 3 Youngest players 3.1 All - time 3.2 Active 4 See also 5 References Key Pos Position Guard Forward Center Oldest players Robert Parish is the third - oldest player to ever play in the NBA 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 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 ; he only played in one more game before retiring as a player two days shy of his 46th birthday. 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 and 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 currently 27 players who played in the NBA after they turned 40. The oldest active player is Vince Carter, who is now 41 years old. Carter played his first game in 1999 and is about to play his 21th season. Carter, along with Manu Ginóbili, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, and Metta World Peace are the only players who were born in 1979 or earlier and are still active and under contract with an NBA team. Ten players total, however, were born in 1980 or earlier and still play in the NBA. All time Denotes player who is still active in the NBA as of the 2017 -- 18 season * Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Player Pos Birth date Last game Age Team ( s ) played ( years ) Draft ( pick ) Ref. Nat Hickey G / F January 30, 1902 January 28, 1948 7004167990000000000 ♠ 45 years, 363 days Providence Steamrollers ( 1948 ) Undrafted Kevin Willis F / C September 6, 1962 April 18, 2007 7004162950000000000 ♠ 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 * August 30, 1953 May 11, 1997 7004159600000000000 ♠ 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 * June 25, 1966 April 21, 2009 7004156410000000000 ♠ 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 * April 16, 1947 April 22, 1989 7004153470000000000 ♠ 42 years, 6 days 2 teams Milwaukee Bucks ( 1969 -- 1975 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 1975 -- 1989 ) 1969 ( 1st ) Bob Cousy * August 9, 1928 January 6, 1970 7004151250000000000 ♠ 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 7004151040000000000 ♠ 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 ) Vince Carter G / F January 26, 1977 Present 7004150500000000000 ♠ 41 years, 75 days 8 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 -- 2017 ) Sacramento Kings ( 2017 -- 2018 ) Atlanta Hawks ( 2018 -- present ) 1998 ( 5th ) John Stockton * March 26, 1962 April 30, 2003 7004150100000000000 ♠ 41 years, 35 days Utah Jazz ( 1984 -- 2003 ) 1984 ( 16th ) Charles Jones F / C April 3, 1957 May 3, 1998 7004150050000000000 ♠ 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 * July 24, 1963 June 13, 2004 7004149350000000000 ♠ 40 years, 325 days 2 teams Utah Jazz ( 1985 -- 2003 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2003 -- 2004 ) 1985 ( 13th ) Manu Ginóbili July 28, 1977 Present 7004148800000000000 ♠ 40 years, 270 days San Antonio Spurs ( 2002 -- present ) 1999 ( 57th ) Rick Mahorn C / F September 21, 1958 May 23, 1999 7004148540000000000 ♠ 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 7004148450000000000 ♠ 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 ) Jason Terry September 15, 1977 Present 7004148350000000000 ♠ 40 years, 225 days 6 teams Atlanta Hawks ( 1999 -- 2004 ) Dallas Mavericks ( 2004 -- 2012 ) Boston Celtics ( 2012 -- 2013 ) Brooklyn Nets ( 2013 -- 2014 ) Houston Rockets ( 2014 -- 2016 ) Milwaukee Bucks ( 2016 -- present ) 1999 ( 10th ) Grant Hill * October 5, 1972 May 3, 2013 7004148200000000000 ♠ 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 7004147970000000000 ♠ 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 October 4, 1972 March 18, 2013 7004147750000000000 ♠ 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 ) Cliff Robinson F / C December 16, 1966 May 12, 2007 7004147570000000000 ♠ 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 7004147160000000000 ♠ 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 February 7, 1973 April 17, 2013 7004146790000000000 ♠ 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 ) Steve Nash * February 7, 1974 April 8, 2014 7004146700000000000 ♠ 40 years, 60 days 3 teams Phoenix Suns ( 1996 -- 1998 ) Dallas Mavericks ( 1998 -- 2004 ) Phoenix Suns ( 2004 -- 2012 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2012 -- 2015 ) 1996 ( 15th ) Michael Jordan * February 17, 1963 April 16, 2003 7004146680000000000 ♠ 40 years, 58 days 2 teams Chicago Bulls ( 1984 -- 1993, 1995 -- 1998 ) Washington Wizards ( 2001 -- 2003 ) 1984 ( 3rd ) Jason Kidd * March 23, 1973 May 18, 2013 7004146660000000000 ♠ 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 ) Andre Miller March 19, 1976 May 12, 2016 7004146640000000000 ♠ 40 years, 54 days 9 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 -- 2015 ) Sacramento Kings ( 2015 ) Minnesota Timberwolves ( 2015 -- 2016 ) San Antonio Spurs ( 2016 ) 1999 ( 8th ) Tim Duncan F / C April 25, 1976 May 12, 2016 7004146270000000000 ♠ 40 years, 17 days San Antonio Spurs ( 1997 -- 2016 ) 1997 ( 1st ) Danny Schayes C / F May 10, 1959 May 13, 1999 7004146130000000000 ♠ 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 This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. Player Pos Birth date Age Team ( s ) played ( years ) Draft ( pick ) Ref. Vince Carter G / F January 26, 1977 7004151740000000000 ♠ 41 years, 199 days 8 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 -- 2017 ) Sacramento Kings ( 2017 -- 2018 ) Atlanta Hawks ( 2018 -- present ) 1998 ( 5th ) Manu Ginóbili July 28, 1977 7004149910000000000 ♠ 41 years, 16 days San Antonio Spurs ( 2002 -- present ) 1999 ( 57th ) Jason Terry September 15, 1977 7004149420000000000 ♠ 40 years, 332 days 6 teams Atlanta Hawks ( 1999 -- 2004 ) Dallas Mavericks ( 2004 -- 2012 ) Boston Celtics ( 2012 -- 2013 ) Brooklyn Nets ( 2013 -- 2014 ) Houston Rockets ( 2014 -- 2016 ) Milwaukee Bucks ( 2016 -- present ) 1999 ( 10th ) Dirk Nowitzki June 19, 1978 7004146650000000000 ♠ 40 years, 55 days Dallas Mavericks ( 1998 -- present ) 1998 ( 9th ) Jamal Crawford G / F March 20, 1980 7004140250000000000 ♠ 38 years, 146 days 7 teams Chicago Bulls ( 2000 -- 2004 ) New York Knicks ( 2004 -- 2008 ) Golden State Warriors ( 2008 -- 2009 ) Atlanta Hawks ( 2009 -- 2011 ) Portland Trail Blazers ( 2011 -- 2012 ) Los Angeles Clippers ( 2012 -- 2017 ) Minnesota Timberwolves ( 2017 -- 2018 ) 2000 ( 8th ) Udonis Haslem F / C June 9, 1980 7004139440000000000 ♠ 38 years, 65 days Miami Heat ( 2003 -- present ) 2002 ( Undrafted ) Richard Jefferson June 21, 1980 7004139320000000000 ♠ 38 years, 53 days 8 teams New Jersey Nets ( 2001 -- 2008 ) Milwaukee Bucks ( 2008 -- 2009 ) San Antonio Spurs ( 2009 -- 2012 ) Golden State Warriors ( 2012 -- 2013 ) Utah Jazz ( 2013 -- 2014 ) Dallas Mavericks ( 2014 -- 2015 ) Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2015 -- 2017 ) Denver Nuggets ( 2017 -- 2018 ) 2001 ( 13th ) Pau Gasol F / C July 6, 1980 7004139170000000000 ♠ 38 years, 38 days 4 teams Memphis Grizzlies ( 2001 -- 2008 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2008 -- 2014 ) Chicago Bulls ( 2014 -- 2016 ) San Antonio Spurs ( 2016 -- present ) 2001 ( 3rd ) David West August 29, 1980 7004138630000000000 ♠ 37 years, 349 days 4 teams New Orleans Hornets ( 2003 -- 2011 ) Indiana Pacers ( 2011 -- 2015 ) San Antonio Spurs ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Golden State Warriors ( 2016 -- present ) 2003 ( 18th ) Kyle Korver G / F March 17, 1981 7004136630000000000 ♠ 37 years, 149 days 5 teams Philadelphia 76ers ( 2003 -- 2007 ) Utah Jazz ( 2008 -- 2010 ) Chicago Bulls ( 2010 -- 2012 ) Atlanta Hawks ( 2012 - 2017 ) Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2017 -- present ) 2003 ( 51st ) Youngest players Andrew Bynum is the youngest player to ever 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 to ever 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 Finals 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, being only five days away from his 19th birthday at the time. There are currently 27 players who played in the NBA before they turned 19. Nineteen of them came to the league straight out of high school, while 6 of them are international players who never played basketball in the U.S. high schools or colleges before they entered the NBA, and two more players ended up playing only a year of college before entering the NBA. The youngest active player in the NBA is Ike Anigbogu. As a result of the NBA 's latest updates on their scheduling policy, he became the second college player to play in the NBA at 18 years old on October 20 against the Portland Trail Blazers. He now joins Devin Booker as the only other player to go from a year of college to the NBA while remaining 18 years old throughout the process. Coincidentally, both of them played their first NBA games at the exact same age of 18 years, 363 days old in order to start their official NBA careers as players of the league, and their first games played would be the only time they 'd play in the NBA as 18 - year - olds. All - time Denotes player who is still active in the NBA as of the 2017 -- 18 season * Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Player Pos Birth date First game Age Team ( s ) played ( years ) Draft ( pick ) Ref. Andrew Bynum October 27, 1987 November 2, 2005 7003658100000000000 ♠ 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 7003662800000000000 ♠ 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 August 23, 1978 November 3, 1996 7003664700000000000 ♠ 18 years, 72 days Los Angeles Lakers ( 1996 -- 2016 ) 1996 ( 13th ) Darko Miličić June 20, 1985 October 31, 2003 7003670700000000000 ♠ 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 June 27, 1929 November 13, 1947 7003671300000000000 ♠ 18 years, 139 days Philadelphia Warriors ( 1947 -- 1948, 1951 -- 1952 ) Undrafted Bill Willoughby F / C May 20, 1957 October 23, 1975 7003673000000000000 ♠ 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 * G / F May 24, 1979 October 31, 1997 7003673500000000000 ♠ 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 May 7, 1987 November 4, 2005 7003675600000000000 ♠ 18 years, 181 days Los Angeles Clippers ( 2005 -- 2007 ) 2005 ( 12th ) Andris Biedriņš April 2, 1986 November 5, 2004 7003679200000000000 ♠ 18 years, 217 days 2 teams Golden State Warriors ( 2004 -- 2013 ) Utah Jazz ( 2013 -- 2014 ) 2004 ( 11th ) C.J. Miles ^ G / F March 18, 1987 November 14, 2005 7003681600000000000 ♠ 18 years, 241 days 4 teams Utah Jazz ( 2005 -- 2012 ) Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2012 -- 2014 ) Indiana Pacers ( 2014 -- 2017 ) Toronto Raptors ( 2017 -- present ) 2005 ( 34th ) Amir Johnson ^ May 1, 1987 January 24, 2006 7003684300000000000 ♠ 18 years, 268 days 4 teams Detroit Pistons ( 2005 -- 2009 ) Toronto Raptors ( 2009 -- 2015 ) Boston Celtics ( 2015 -- 2017 ) Philadelphia 76ers ( 2017 -- present ) 2005 ( 56th ) Darryl Dawkins January 11, 1957 October 27, 1975 7003686300000000000 ♠ 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 7003687000000000000 ♠ 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 ^ December 30, 1984 October 29, 2003 7003687700000000000 ♠ 18 years, 303 days 3 teams Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2003 -- 2010 ) Miami Heat ( 2010 -- 2014 ) Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2014 -- 2018 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2018 -- present ) 2003 ( 1st ) Jonathan Bender January 30, 1981 December 10, 1999 7003688800000000000 ♠ 18 years, 314 days 2 teams Indiana Pacers ( 1999 -- 2006 ) New York Knicks ( 2009 ) 1999 ( 5th ) Giannis Antetokounmpo ^ G / F December 6, 1994 October 30, 2013 7003689300000000000 ♠ 18 years, 318 days Milwaukee Bucks ( 2013 -- present ) 2013 ( 15th ) Eddy Curry December 5, 1982 October 31, 2001 7003690500000000000 ♠ 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 ^ December 8, 1985 November 3, 2004 7003690500000000000 ♠ 18 years, 331 days 6 teams Orlando Magic ( 2004 -- 2012 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2012 -- 2013 ) Houston Rockets ( 2013 -- 2016 ) Atlanta Hawks ( 2016 -- 2017 ) Charlotte Hornets ( 2017 -- 2018 ) Washington Wizards ( 2018 -- present ) 2004 ( 1st ) Jim Browne January 1, 1930 November 30, 1948 7003690800000000000 ♠ 18 years, 334 days 2 teams Chicago Stags ( 1948 -- 1949 ) Denver Nuggets ( 1949 -- 1950 ) Undrafted Josh Smith December 5, 1985 November 3, 2004 7003690800000000000 ♠ 18 years, 334 days 5 teams Atlanta Hawks ( 2004 -- 2013 ) Detroit Pistons ( 2013 -- 2014 ) Houston Rockets ( 2014 -- 2015 ) Los Angeles Clippers ( 2015 -- 2016 ) Houston Rockets ( 2016 ) New Orleans Pelicans ( 2017 ) 2004 ( 17th ) Martell Webster G / F December 4, 1986 November 4, 2005 7003691000000000000 ♠ 18 years, 335 days 3 teams Portland Trail Blazers ( 2005 -- 2010 ) Minnesota Timberwolves ( 2010 -- 2012 ) Washington Wizards ( 2012 -- 2015 ) 2005 ( 6th ) Robert Swift December 3, 1985 November 3, 2004 7003691000000000000 ♠ 18 years, 336 days Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder ( 2004 -- 2009 ) 2004 ( 12th ) Dragan Bender ^ F / C November 17, 1997 October 26, 2016 7003691800000000000 ♠ 18 years, 344 days Phoenix Suns ( 2016 -- present ) 2016 ( 4th ) Maciej Lampe February 5, 1985 January 23, 2004 7003692600000000000 ♠ 18 years, 352 days 3 teams Phoenix Suns ( 2004 -- 2005 ) New Orleans Hornets ( 2005 -- 2006 ) Houston Rockets ( 2006 ) 2003 ( 30th ) Al Harrington February 17, 1980 February 5, 1999 7003692800000000000 ♠ 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 ) Devin Booker ^ October 30, 1996 October 28, 2015 7003693700000000000 ♠ 18 years, 363 days Phoenix Suns ( 2015 -- present ) 2015 ( 13th ) Ike Anigbogu ^ October 22, 1998 October 20, 2017 7003693800000000000 ♠ 18 years, 363 days Indiana Pacers ( 2017 -- present ) 2017 ( 47th ) Active This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. Player Pos Birth date Age Team ( s ) played ( years ) Draft ( pick ) Ref. Isaac Bonga November 8, 1999 7003685300000000000 ♠ 18 years, 278 days Los Angeles Lakers ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 39th ) Jaren Jackson Jr. September 15, 1999 7003690700000000000 ♠ 18 years, 332 days Memphis Grizzlies ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 4th ) Kevin Knox August 11, 1999 7003694200000000000 ♠ 19 years, 2 days New York Knicks ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 9th ) Troy Brown Jr. July 28, 1999 7003695600000000000 ♠ 19 years, 16 days Washington Wizards ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 15th ) Anfernee Simons June 8, 1999 7003700600000000000 ♠ 19 years, 66 days Portland Trail Blazers ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 24th ) Zhaire Smith June 4, 1999 7003701000000000000 ♠ 19 years, 70 days Philadelphia 76ers ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 16th ) Džanan Musa F / G May 8, 1999 7003703700000000000 ♠ 19 years, 97 days Brooklyn Nets ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 29th ) Wendell Carter F / C April 16, 1999 7003705900000000000 ♠ 19 years, 119 days Chicago Bulls ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 7th ) Marvin Bagley March 14, 1999 7003709200000000000 ♠ 19 years, 152 days Sacramento Kings ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 2nd ) Luka Dončić February 28, 1999 7003710600000000000 ♠ 19 years, 166 days Dallas Mavericks ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 3rd ) Gary Trent Jr. January 18, 1999 7003714700000000000 ♠ 19 years, 207 days Portland Trail Blazers ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 37th ) Collin Sexton January 4, 1999 7003716100000000000 ♠ 19 years, 221 days Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 8th ) Lonnie Walker December 14, 1998 7003718200000000000 ♠ 19 years, 242 days San Antonio Spurs ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 18th ) Ike Anigbogu C / F October 22, 1998 7003723500000000000 ♠ 19 years, 295 days Indiana Pacers ( 2017 -- present ) 2017 ( 47th ) Trae Young September 19, 1998 7003726800000000000 ♠ 19 years, 328 days Atlanta Hawks ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 5th ) Josh Okogie September 1, 1998 7003728600000000000 ♠ 19 years, 346 days Minnesota Timberwolves ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 20th ) Kevin Huerter August 27, 1998 7003729100000000000 ♠ 19 years, 351 days Atlanta Hawks ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 19th ) Hamidou Diallo July 31, 1998 7003731800000000000 ♠ 20 years, 13 days Oklahoma City Thunder ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 45th ) Frank Ntilikina July 28, 1998 7003732100000000000 ♠ 20 years, 16 days New York Knicks ( 2017 -- present ) 2017 ( 8th ) Deandre Ayton C / F July 23, 1998 7003732600000000000 ♠ 20 years, 21 days Phoenix Suns ( 2018 -- present ) 2018 ( 1st ) See also National Basketball Association portal List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders List of National Basketball Association seasons played leaders 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. Retrieved May 6, 2013. `` Player Season Finder : For single seasons ; played in the NBA / BAA ; in the regular season ; in 2013 -- 14 ; is active ; sorted by descending age ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2014. `` 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. Retrieved May 6, 2013. `` Player Season Finder : For single seasons ; played in the NBA / BAA ; in the regular season ; in 2013 -- 14 ; is active ; sorted by ascending age ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2014. Specific Jump up ^ Goldaper, Sam. `` The First Game ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2010. Jump up ^ `` 1949 -- 50 Season Overview : Powerful Lakers Repeat ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Two years later, Hornets are at home in New Orleans ''. USA Today. October 30, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Aschburner, Steve ( August 28, 2010 ). `` Few NBA players escape the tight defense of Father Time ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Mavericks make motivated Willis, 44, NBA 's oldest player ''. USA Today. April 2, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Robert Parish Bio ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Nat Hickey Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Willis Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Robert Parish Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dikembe Mutombo Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kareem Abdul - Jabbar Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Bob Cousy Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Phoenix Suns at Cincinnati Royals, January 6, 1970 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Herb Williams Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Vince Carter Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` John Stockton Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Charles Jones Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Karl Malone Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Manu Ginóbili Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Rick Mahorn Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` John Long Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Jason Terry Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Grant Hill Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2013. Jump up ^ `` James Edwards Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kurt Thomas Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Clifford Robinson Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Charles Oakley Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Juwan Howard Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Steve Nash Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Michael Jordan Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jason Kidd Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 4, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Andre Miller Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 23, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Tim Duncan Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Danny Schayes Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dirk Nowitzki Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Jamal Crawford Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Udonis Haslem Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Richard Jefferson Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Pau Gasol Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017. Jump up ^ During the 2005 -- 06 and 2006 -- 07 seasons, the team was known as the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets during their temporary relocation to Oklahoma City due to Hurricane Katrina. Jump up ^ `` David West Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Vince Carter Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 15, 2018. Jump up ^ Nance, Roscoe ( June 21, 2005 ). `` Teen draftees grounded until 19 under new deal ''. USA Today. Retrieved July 28, 2010. Jump up ^ Pelton, Kevin ( March 3, 2009 ). `` Age and Success in the NBA ''. Basketball Prospectus. Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC. Retrieved May 15, 2010. Jump up ^ `` 2007 -- 08 Player Survey : Mr. Average ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 21, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ Howard - Cooper, Scott ( November 13, 2009 ). `` Still - growing Bynum gives Lakers a limitless future ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ Robbins, Liz ( June 29, 2005 ). `` Bogut and Tar Heels Give N.B.A. Draft a College Flavor ''. The New York Times. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Acquire Future First Round Draft Choice and Center Kelvin Cato From the Orlando Magic in Exchange for Darko Miličić and Carlos Arroyo ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 15, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Andrew Bynum Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jermaine O'Neal Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Kobe Bryant Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Darko Miličić Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Stan Brown Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2011. Jump up ^ Long, Ernie ( December 5, 1996 ). `` Do n't Break A Young Stallion 's Spirit : Let Allen Be Allen ''. articles.mcall.com. The Morning Call. Retrieved February 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Bill Willoughby Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Tracy McGrady Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Yaroslav Korolev Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Andris Biedrins Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` C.J. Miles Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Amir Johnson Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Darryl Dawkins Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Joe Graboski Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Baltimore Bullets at Chicago Stags Box Score, November 6, 1948 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` LeBron James Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jonathan Bender Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Giannis Antetokounmpo Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Eddy Curry Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dwight Howard Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Jim Browne Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Philadelphia Warriors at Chicago Stags Box Score, November 30, 1948 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Josh Smith Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Martell Webster Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Robert Swift Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Dragan Bender Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Maciej Lampe Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Al Harrington Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Devin Booker Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Ike Anigbogu Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Isaac Bonga Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Jaren Jackson Jr. Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Knox Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Troy Brown Jr. Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Anfernee Simons Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Zhaire Smith Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Dzanan Musa Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Wendell Carter Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Marvin Bagley Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Luka Doncic Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Gary Trent Jr. Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Collin Sexton Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Lonnie Walker Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Trae Young Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Josh Okogie Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Huerter Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Hamidou Diallo Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Frank Ntilikina Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Deandre Ayton Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. National Basketball Association statistical leaders Players Career Regular season Points Franchise Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Turnovers Three - point field goals Free throws Seasons Games Minutes Playoffs Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Turnovers Three - point field goals Free throws Games Minutes Annual Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes Field goal percentage Three - point field goals Three - point field goal percentage Free throw percentage Season Points Rookie Rebounds Rookie Game Points Playoffs Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Misc Tallest players Shortest players Oldest and youngest players Highest - paid players Teams Winningest teams All - time win - loss records Winning streaks Losing streaks Misc Highest - scoring games Records Regular season Playoffs All - Star Game Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_oldest_and_youngest_National_Basketball_Association_players&oldid=854192081 '' Categories : National Basketball Association lists Lists of oldest people Lists of the youngest people Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Dynamic lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 9 August 2018, at 15 : 41 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who is the oldest nba player to play
Answer: Nat Hickey