LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer. At 41, he is entering his 24th NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | LeBron Raymone James |
| Born | December 30, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Akron, Ohio |
| Age | 41 |
| Height | 6’9″ (2.06 m) |
| Position | Forward |
| NBA debut | 2003 |
| Draft | No. 1 overall, Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Current team | Philadelphia 76ers |
| NBA titles | 4 |
| NBA MVP awards | 4 |
| Finals MVP awards | 4 |
| NBA All-Star selections | 22 |
| Olympic gold medals | 3 |
| NBA career points | 43,440 through the end of the 2025-26 season |
Source details are from the NBA and Team USA.
Who Is LeBron James?
LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984. He became a national basketball name while playing at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, where his performances attracted major attention before he entered the NBA directly from high school. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.
His career has since stretched across four NBA franchises-and-era chapters: Cleveland, Miami, Cleveland again, Los Angeles and now Philadelphia. That longevity is a major part of his statistical record. By the end of the 2025-26 season, he had become the first player with more than 43,000 regular-season points and had established an NBA-record 21 All-NBA selections.
LeBron James NBA Career
Cleveland Cavaliers: 2003–2010
James began his professional career with his hometown Cavaliers and quickly became one of the league’s most prominent young players. He won Rookie of the Year and developed into a perennial All-NBA player during his first stint in Cleveland.
The first chapter ended in 2010 when James moved to the Miami Heat in free agency.
Miami Heat: 2010–2014
In Miami, James formed the highly publicized core known as the “Big Three” with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in each of his four seasons there and won championships in 2012 and 2013. James was the Finals MVP in both title runs.
Those seasons also produced two of his four regular-season MVP awards, in 2012 and 2013.
Return to Cleveland: 2014–2018
James returned to Cleveland in 2014, and the reunion eventually produced one of the most important championships in franchise history.
The Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA title by defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games after falling behind 3-1 in the Finals. It gave Cleveland its first NBA championship, while James collected his third Finals MVP award.
Cleveland returned to the Finals in each of James’ four seasons after his comeback, including the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Finals.
Los Angeles Lakers: 2018–2026
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and added another championship to his résumé in 2020. Los Angeles defeated the Miami Heat 4-2 in the Finals, and James won his fourth Finals MVP award.
His Lakers years also added several major career milestones. He became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and extended his records for All-Star and All-NBA selections. After the 2025-26 season, his NBA career totals included 43,440 regular-season points and 21 All-NBA selections.
James finished his Lakers tenure after eight seasons. In 2025-26, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 60 games and earned All-NBA Second Team honors.
LeBron James’ 2026 Philadelphia 76ers Move
The biggest current development in James’ career came in July 2026.
The Philadelphia 76ers officially signed him on July 27, 2026, ending his eight-season run with the Lakers. The team described him as a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer.
The move means the 2026-27 season will be James’ 24th NBA season and his first in Philadelphia. He enters the new chapter at age 41, after reportedly considering retirement before deciding to continue playing.
At this point, the focus is less on another change of franchise and more on what James can add to a Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers’ official roster page confirms James as No. 23 on the team.
LeBron James Career Stats and Records
James’ numbers stand out because they combine scoring, playmaking and longevity rather than relying on one category.
The NBA lists him as its all-time leading scorer, with 43,440 regular-season points after the 2025-26 season. He is also the only player to have surpassed 40,000 career points.
Among his other major achievements are:
- 4 NBA championships
- 4 regular-season MVP awards
- 4 Finals MVP awards
- 21 All-NBA selections
- 22 All-Star selections
- 6 All-Defensive Team selections
- 3 NBA Olympic gold medals
- 1 Olympic bronze medal
He has also produced 112 career triple-doubles and holds NBA playoff records for wins, games played, points, field goals, free throws, steals and minutes.
LeBron James and Team USA
James has had a long Olympic career with the United States.
He first appeared at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where the U.S. won bronze. He then helped Team USA win gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 before returning for Paris 2024. In Paris, he helped the United States win another gold medal and was named the men’s basketball tournament MVP after averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists.
That gave James four Olympic appearances, with three gold medals and one bronze.
LeBron James’ Work in Akron
James’ influence extends beyond basketball, particularly in his hometown of Akron.
The LeBron James Family Foundation focuses heavily on education and family support through the I PROMISE program. The foundation says the program serves more than 1,400 Akron students across its various school-age groups and provides academic, family and community support.
The I PROMISE School opened in 2018 through a partnership between the foundation and Akron Public Schools. Its model combines education with broader support for students and their families. The foundation has also developed the I PROMISE Institute, housing initiatives and House Three Thirty as part of its wider community work.
For James, Akron remains a recurring part of his public story. His professional career has taken him to multiple NBA markets, but his foundation’s work continues to center on the community where he grew up.
Why LeBron James’ Career Is Unusual
James’ résumé is not built around one standout period. It spans more than two decades, multiple teams and different versions of the NBA.
He has won championships with three franchises, earned Finals MVP with each of those teams, led the NBA in career scoring and remained an All-NBA player into his 40s. He is also the only player to have earned 21 All-NBA selections, including 13 First Team selections.
That combination of scoring production, passing, postseason experience and career length is what makes his statistical profile so distinctive. The 2026 move to Philadelphia adds another chapter, but it also marks a clear transition from the eight-year Lakers era that included the 2020 championship.
LeBron James in 2026: What Comes Next?
As of September 2026, LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er and is preparing for his 24th NBA season. His four championships, four MVP awards, 43,440 career points and 21 All-NBA selections are already established parts of his record.
The next chapter will be measured on a different timeline. At 41, James enters another season after changing teams again, while Philadelphia begins a new phase around one of the most accomplished players in league history.
Whatever happens next, the documented record is already unusually long: four NBA titles, three Olympic gold medals, more than 43,000 regular-season points and records for All-Star and All-NBA selections.
FAQs
Is LeBron James still in the NBA?
Yes. As of September 2026, LeBron James is with the Philadelphia 76ers and is preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season, which will be his 24th season.
How many NBA championships has LeBron James won?
LeBron James has won four NBA championships: two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won Finals MVP in all four championship seasons.
How many points does LeBron James have?
After the 2025-26 season, James had 43,440 regular-season points, making him the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and the only player to exceed 40,000 career points.
How many Olympic gold medals does LeBron James have?
LeBron James has three Olympic gold medals, earned with Team USA in 2008, 2012 and 2024. He also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Source list
- NBA: LeBron James | Forward | Philadelphia 76ers | NBA.com, Access Date: September 21, 2026
- Philadelphia 76ers: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS SIGN FOUR-TIME NBA CHAMPION AND 22-TIME ALL-STAR LEBRON JAMES, Access Date: September 21, 2026
- NBA: Players with the most All-NBA selections in history, Access Date: September 21, 2026
- Team USA: LeBron James | Team USA, Access Date: September 21, 2026
- LeBron James Family Foundation: About, Access Date: September 21, 2026
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