LeBron James Biography: NBA’s All-Time Scoring Leader and the 76ers’ Record 24th Season

October 17, 2026

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LeBron James is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA. The league’s all-time leading scorer has won four championships and four MVP awards across three franchises, and in July 2026 he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for a record 24th NBA season. He is also the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.

Note: “LeBron James” ranks among Brazil’s top trending searches on October 17, 2026, amid coverage of his 76ers preseason debut; the exact driver of the search spike could not be confirmed.

Quick facts: LeBron James

Full name: LeBron Raymone James
Born: December 30, 1984, Akron, Ohio, USA
Nationality: American
Occupation: Professional basketball player (forward)
Known for: NBA all-time leading scorer; 4× NBA champion; 4× league MVP
Current team: Philadelphia 76ers (since July 2026)
Spouse: Savannah James (married 2013)
Children: LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., Bryce Maximus James, Zhuri Nova James

Early life and background

LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, to 16-year-old Gloria James; his father was never involved in his life. His early childhood was marked by frequent moves and housing instability, and stability only arrived in late elementary school through organized youth sports. At St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, he became a national phenomenon: a three-time Ohio Mr. Basketball who led his team to three state championships, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as “The Chosen One” in February 2002 during his junior year, and finished as the consensus national high school player of the year as a senior.

Before he had played a single NBA game, Nike signed him to a $90 million endorsement deal in May 2003 — an unprecedented bet on a teenager. A month later, on June 26, 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first overall in the NBA draft, straight out of high school.

Career

Cleveland, first stint (2003–2010). James won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003–04 and carried a moribund franchise to its first NBA Finals appearance in 2007, where the Cavaliers were swept by San Antonio. He won the scoring title in 2007–08 and back-to-back league MVP awards in 2009 and 2010, but could not bring a championship to Cleveland in that era.

Miami (2010–2014). In July 2010, James announced his move to the Miami Heat in the hour-long television special “The Decision.” He reached the Finals in all four seasons, winning titles in 2012 and 2013 and Finals MVP honors both years, plus league MVP awards in 2012 and 2013.

Cleveland, second stint (2014–2018). Returning home in 2014, he delivered the 2016 championship — the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 Finals deficit, beating the 73-win Golden State Warriors and ending Cleveland’s 52-year professional sports title drought.

Los Angeles (2018–2026). His 2018 move west brought a fourth championship in 2020, won inside the pandemic bubble over the Heat. On February 7, 2023, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer (reported as 38,387 by some sources and 38,388 by others — both trace to Abdul-Jabbar’s total; the discrepancy is a rounding artifact of the record itself), and in 2024 he became the first player to reach 40,000 career points. He also earned tournament MVP at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Team USA won gold. Late in the 2025–26 season the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, and when James’s contract expired that summer he announced he would not return to Los Angeles.

Philadelphia (2026–present). On July 24, 2026, James announced on X that he would sign with the Philadelphia 76ers — calling it his “last decision.” The two-year deal, worth roughly $8 million (about $4 million per year, the veteran minimum, with a player option), was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania via his agent Rich Paul. He joined Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown to chase a fifth ring, entering a record 24th NBA season. He made his 76ers preseason debut on October 9, 2026, against Brooklyn; the regular season opens October 20 with Philadelphia at the New York Knicks.

Major achievements

4× NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) and 4× NBA Finals MVP
4× NBA league MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
NBA’s all-time leading scorer; first player to 40,000 career points
Record 22-time NBA All-Star; record 21-time All-NBA selection (13 First Team)
Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2024 (tournament MVP in 2024); bronze in 2004
Inaugural NBA Cup MVP (2023); records for most seasons played and most regular-season games played

Personal life

James has been with his wife Savannah (née Brinson) since high school; they married on September 14, 2013, in San Diego. They have three children: LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. (born 2004), who was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in 2024 — making them the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together in the 2024–25 season; Bryce Maximus James (born 2007); and Zhuri Nova James (born 2014). In 2018, through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he opened the I PROMISE School in his hometown of Akron, serving at-risk students. He co-founded the media company SpringHill Company with Maverick Carter, and holds stakes in Fenway Sports Group and Blaze Pizza.

Net worth snapshot

LeBron James’s wealth makes him the first active NBA player to reach billionaire status (Forbes, June 2022). Reputable estimates in October 2026 range from about $850 million (Celebrity Net Worth) to $1.4 billion (Forbes real-time), built on a record $581 million-plus in career NBA salary and equity in Nike, SpringHill, Fenway Sports Group and Blaze Pizza. Read the full breakdown in LeBron James’s net worth.

Frequently asked questions

How old is LeBron James?

LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio — he is 41 and turns 42 in December 2026. He is the oldest active player in the NBA and is entering a record 24th season.

Which teams has LeBron James played for?

Five stints across four franchises: the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010 and 2014–2018), the Miami Heat (2010–2014), the Los Angeles Lakers (2018–2026) and the Philadelphia 76ers (2026–present).

How many championships has LeBron James won?

Four NBA championships: 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat, 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was Finals MVP in all four series.

Is LeBron James the NBA’s all-time leading scorer?

Yes. He passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on February 7, 2023, and became the first player to reach 40,000 career points in 2024.