With just over a week until the 2026-27 season begins, every team in the league currently has at least one player on its roster born after LeBron’s NBA debut
LeBron James’ NBA debut was October 29, 2003, just under 23 years ago. Currently, every NBA team has at least one player on the roster born after that date. Some of these players are on two-way contracts or are fighting for roster spots as the preseason winds down, but as of this moment, here’s the full list of rostered players born after that date:
Atlanta Hawks: Isaac McKneely, Henri Veesaar, Zuby Ejiofor, Cameron Corhen, Asa Newell, Kingston Flemings (6⁄19 players)
Boston Celtics: Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, Chris Cenac Jr. (3⁄21)
Brooklyn Nets: Joshua Jefferson, Tyler Bilodeau (Two-Way Contract), Danny Wolf, Noah Clowney, Drake Powell, Egor Demin, Mikel Brown Jr., Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore (9⁄19)
Charlotte Hornets: Kylan Boswell (TW), Kon Knueppel, Tidjane Salaun, Liam McNeeley, Christian Anderson Jr., Hannes Steinbach (6⁄20)
Chicago Bulls: Leonard Miller, Tobe Awaka (TW), Matas Buzelis, Dailyn Swain, Caleb Wilson, Noa Essengue (6⁄21)
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ernest Udeh Jr. (TW), Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas (3⁄19)
Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively II, Zaccharie Risacher, Sergio de Larrea, Morez Johnson Jr., Cooper Flagg (5⁄19)
Denver Nuggets: Cam Whitmore (TW) (1⁄20)
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren, Ron Holland, Ebuka Okorie (3⁄19)
Golden State Warriors: Alex Toohey (1⁄19)
Houston Rockets: Julian Phillips, Reed Sheppard (2⁄18)
Indiana Pacers: Johnny Furphy (1⁄20)
LA Clippers: Gradey Dick, Baba Miller, Nick Martinelli (TW), Cam Christie, Keaton Wagler (5⁄22)
Los Angeles Lakers: Nick Smith Jr., Adou Thiero, Bronny James, Cameron Carr (4⁄22)
Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Hendricks, Carson Cooper (TW), GG Jackson II, Karim Lopez, Cameron Boozer (5⁄18)
Miami Heat: Tre Donaldson (TW), Ryan Conwell (2⁄20)
Milwaukee Bucks: Kel’el Ware, Bogoljub Markovic (yes, I spelled that correctly), Brayden Burries, Kasparas Jakucionis (also correct), Nate Ament (5⁄20)
Minnesota Timberwolves: Cody Williams, Isaiah Evans, Joan Beringer (3⁄19)
New Orleans Pelicans: Malik Dia (TW), Yves Missi, AJ Johnson, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears (5⁄21)
New York Knicks: Mohamed Diawara, Pacome Dadiet (2⁄21)
Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Holifield, Jared McCain, Josh Dix (TW), Aday Mara, Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber (6⁄21)
Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, Noah Penda, Jase Richardson (3⁄19)
Philadelphia 76ers: Justin Edwards, Rayan Rupert (TW), VJ Edgecombe, Labaron Philon Jr. (4⁄21)
Phoenix Suns: Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat (3⁄20)
Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, Sidy Cissoko, Yang Hansen (4⁄16)
Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, Darius Acuff Jr. (2⁄19)
San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown (TW), Victor Wembanyama, Ja’Kobi Gillespie (TW), Stephon Castle, Carter Bryant, Dylan Harper, Jayden Quaintance (7⁄21)
Toronto Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles, Allen Graves (3⁄21)
Utah Jazz: Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier, Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson (6⁄19)
Washington Wizards: Kyshawn George, Felix Okpara (TW), Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Will Riley, Tre Johnson, AJ Dybantsa (8⁄21)
So, if you were counting, and I know you weren’t, 123 of the 595 currently rostered players were born after LeBron’s debut. Which comes out to 20.67% of the league.
Now, I certainly don’t expect this little bit of trivia to hold up in a week’s time when the season starts and teams have to cut down to 15 players max (plus three two-way contracts). It’s technically conceivable that on opening night, at least one of these guys makes the cut for every team, but for now, it’s a fun little factoid while we wait for the season to start.