LeBron James (LeBron Raymone James, born 30 December 1984) is an American professional basketball player who is regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He has won four NBA championships, four regular-season MVP awards and four Finals MVP awards, and he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league's all-time leading scorer on 7 February 2023. In 2026 he left the Los Angeles Lakers and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th season. This biography follows his life and career up to November 2026.
LeBron James at a Glance
| Full name | LeBron Raymone James |
| Born | 30 December 1984, Akron, Ohio, United States |
| Age | 41 (as of November 2026) |
| Profession | Professional basketball player (forward) |
| Current team | Philadelphia 76ers (signed July 2026) |
| NBA championships | Four: 2012 and 2013 (Miami), 2016 (Cleveland), 2020 (Lakers) |
| Awards | Four MVPs (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013); four Finals MVPs; 22 All-Star selections |
| Olympics | Gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2024 |
| Records | NBA all-time leading scorer (passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on 7 February 2023) |
Early Life and the Draft
James was born in Akron, Ohio, and attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first overall in the 2003 NBA draft, and he was named Rookie of the Year in 2004.
Cleveland, Miami and Back
James played for Cleveland until 2010 and then moved to the Miami Heat, where he won the championship in 2012 and 2013 and was Finals MVP both times. He returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and left again in 2018. He played in eight consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2018 and ten in total. In 2016 he led Cleveland to the championship, his third, and was named Finals MVP for a third time.
Lakers and the Scoring Record
James joined the Lakers in 2018 on a four-year contract worth about $154 million. He won his fourth championship with them in 2020, and again was Finals MVP. On 7 February 2023 he passed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He won his third Olympic gold medal with the United States at the 2024 Games, after golds in 2008 and 2012.
Moving to Philadelphia
James informed the Lakers in June 2026, after eight seasons, that he planned to play elsewhere in 2026-27. In July 2026 he agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers worth about $8 million, with a player option for the second season, which was reported to be the smallest salary of his career. He called the move his "last decision", and he wears No. 23 for the 76ers. He is playing his 24th NBA season.
Business and Earnings
James was the first NBA player to accumulate $1 billion in earnings while still playing, and Forbes has listed him among the ten highest-paid athletes in the world 15 times.
Legacy
James is admired for the length of his career, which has lasted more than two decades at the top of the sport, and for the way he combined scoring, passing and strength. His total of 22 All-Star selections and his scoring record are likely to remain at the centre of debates about the best players in basketball history.
