Only ten players in the history of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United S ...

(NBA) have played 20 or more seasons in their respective careers. In 1985–86,

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem (alternatively spelled Karim or Kerim) ( ar, کریم) is a common given name and surname of Arabic origin that means "generous", "noble", "honorable". It is also one of the Names of God in Islam in the Quran. Given name Karim * Karim A ...

broke the previous NBA record of 16 seasons held by

Dolph Schayes Adolph Schayes (May 19, 1928 – December 10, 2015) was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A top scorer and rebounder, he was a 12-time NBA All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA selection ...

John Havlicek John Joseph Havlicek ( ; April 8, 1940 – April 25, 2019) was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics, winning List of NBA players with most championships, eight NBA championships, four of ...

Paul Silas Paul Theron Silas (July 12, 1943 – December 10, 2022) was an American professional basketball player and head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a player, he was a two-time NBA All-Star and earned five selections to the NB ...

, and

Elvin Hayes Elvin Ernest Hayes (born November 17, 1945), nicknamed "the Big E", is an American former professional basketball player and radio analyst for his alma-mater Houston Cougars. He is a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, and a ...

; he finished his career in 1988–89 with a then-record 20 seasons played.

Robert Parish Robert Lee Parish (born August 30, 1953) is an American former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA), tied for second most in league history. He played an NBA-record 1,61 ...

broke the mark in 1996–97, when he retired after 21 seasons, and

Kevin Willis Kevin Alvin Willis (born September 6, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player mostly known for playing with the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a 7-foot power forward/center. Excluding players ...

tied him in his final season in 2006–07. They were joined by

Kevin Garnett Kevin Maurice Garnett ( ; born May 19, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed KG by his initials, and the "Big Ticket" for his emphatic dunki ...

in 2015–16 when he began his 21st season. His

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. Founded in 19 ...

played their season opener against the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...

and

Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant ( ; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely r ...

, who became the fifth player to reach the 20-season plateau that night. The game was the first time in league history that two opposing players each had at least 20 years of experience. Having played his entire career with the Lakers, Bryant was also the first NBA player to spend 20 seasons with one team. In 2018–19,

Dirk Nowitzki Dirk Werner Nowitzki (, ; born June 19, 1978) is a German former professional basketball player who is a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at , he is widely regarded as one of the gr ...

surpassed Bryant with 21 seasons with the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference (NBA), Western Conferenc ...

. In 2019–20,

Vince Carter Vincent Lamar Carter Jr. (born January 26, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player who serves as a basketball analyst for ESPN. He primarily played the shooting guard and small forward positions, but occasionally played Powe ...

became the first player with 22 seasons in the NBA.In the NBA, big men typically have longer playing careers than smaller men. Older

centers Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics * Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

and

power forwards Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may ...

may have the luxury of pacing themselves while running the court, or they might station themselves in the

post Post or POST commonly refers to: *Mail, the postal system, especially in Commonwealth of Nations countries **An Post, the Irish national postal service **Canada Post, Canadian postal service **Deutsche Post, German postal service **Iraqi Post, Ira ...

. Big men Parish, Willis, and Garnett all had relatively minor roles while playing in their respective 21st seasons. On the other hand, guards are tasked with handling the ball full-court; in addition, guards are more dependent on traits like speed and quickness that deteriorate with age. Bryant was the first guard to play 20 seasons, passing the previous mark of 19 seasons for guards held by

John Stockton John Houston Stockton (born March 26, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player. Regarded as one of the greatest point guards, players and passers of all time, he spent his entire NBA career (1984–2003) with the Utah Jazz, ...

and

Jason Kidd Jason Frederick Kidd (born March 23, 1973) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Regarded as one of the greatest point guards ...

. In his final season, he was moved to

small forward The small forward (SF), also known as the three or swingman, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers but taller, larger, and stronger t ...

and surrounded by other ball handlers.

Seasons played leaders

Following is a list of players who have played the most seasons in the NBA. Robert Parish Celtics

Kevin Garnett with the Minnesota Timberwolves dunking, 2007 (cropped)

{, class="wikitable sortable" , +Seasons played leaders , - !Rank !style="width: 11em", Player !

Position Position often refers to: * Position (geometry), the spatial location (rather than orientation) of an entity * Position, a job or occupation Position may also refer to: Games and recreation * Position (poker), location relative to the dealer * ...

!class="unsortable", Team(s) !Seasons , - , 1 , , bgcolor="#CCFF99", ^† , SG / SF , , 22 , - , rowspan=4, 2 , , bgcolor="#FFFF99", * , C , , rowspan=4, 21 , - , , PF / C , , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", * , PF / C , , - , bgcolor="#F0E130", ^§ , PF ,

(1998–2019) , - , rowspan=5, 6, , bgcolor="#FFFF99", * , C , , rowspan=5, 20 , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", * , SG ,

(1996–2016) , - , bgcolor="#CCFF99", ^† , G , {{plainlist,

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 1 ...

(2000–2004)

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...

(2004–2008)

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...

(2008–2009)

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Sou ...

(2009–2011)

Portland Trail Blazers The Portland Trail Blazers (colloquially known as the Blazers) are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Con ...

(2011–2012)

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...

(2012–2017)

(2017–2018)

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...

(2018–2019)

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The t ...

(2020) , - , bgcolor="#CFECEC", {{sortname, Udonis, Haslem^ , PF / C , {{plainlist, *

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Southe ...

(2003–present) , - , bgcolor="#CFECEC", {{sortname, LeBron, James^ , SF , {{plainlist, *

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

(2003–2010, 2014–2018) *

(2010–2014) *

(2018–present) , - , rowspan=13, 11 , , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Moses, Malone* , C , {{plainlist, *

Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were an American professional basketball franchise based in Buffalo, New York. The Braves competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division from 1970 ...

(1976) *

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its ho ...

(1976–1982) *

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eas ...

(1982–1986, 1993–1994) *

Washington Bullets The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...

(1986–1988) *

(1988–1991) *

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...

(1991–1993) *

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Division ( ...

(1994–1995) , rowspan=13, 19 , - , {{sortname, James, Edwards, dab=basketball , C , {{plainlist, *

(1977, 1992–1994) *

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first esta ...

(1977–1981) *

(1981–1983) *

(1983–1988) *

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...

(1988–1991) *

(1991–1992) *

(1994–1995) *

(1995–1996) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, John, Stockton* , PG ,

Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference, Northwest Division (NBA), ...

(1984–2003) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Karl, Malone* , PF , {{plainlist, *

(1985–2003) *

(2003–2004) , - , {{sortname, Charles, Oakley , PF / C , {{plainlist, *

(1985–1988, 2001–2002) *

(1988–1998) *

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play their home games a ...

(1998–2001) *

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast D ...

(2002–2003) *

(2004) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Shaquille, O'Neal* , C , {{plainlist, *

Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The franchise was establ ...

(1992–1996) *

(1996–2004) *

(2004–2008) *

(2008–2009) *

(2009–2010) *

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of t ...

(2010–2011) , - , {{sortname, Juwan, Howard , PF / C , {{plainlist, * Washington Bullets / Wizards (1994–2001) *

(2001–2002, 2007–2008) *

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team was founded as the D ...

(2002–2003, 2008) *

(2003–2004) *

(2004–2007) *

Charlotte Bobcats Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populous ...

(2008–2009) *

(2009–2010) *

(2010–2013) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Jason, Kidd* , PG , {{plainlist, *

(1994–1996, 2008–2012) *

(1996–2001) *

New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

(2001–2008) *

(2012–2013) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Tim, Duncan* , PF / C ,

(1997–2016) , - , bgcolor="#FFFF99", {{sortname, Paul, Pierce* , SG / SF , {{plainlist, *

(1998–2013) *

(2013–2014) *

(2014–2015) *

(2015–2017) , - , {{sortname, Jason, Terry , G , {{plainlist, *

(1999–2004) *

(2004–2012) *

(2012–2013) *

(2013–2014) *

(2014–2016) *

(2016–2018) , - , bgcolor="#CCFF99", {{sortname, Tyson, Chandler ^† , C , {{plainlist, *

(2001–2006) *

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and caused extensive damage to the New Orleans Arena. As a result, the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s New Orleans Hornets were unable to play any home games at th ...

(2006–2009) *

(2009–2010) *

(2010–2011, 2014–2015) *

(2011–2014) *

(2015–2018) *

(2018–2019) *

(2019–2020) , - , {{sortname, Carmelo, Anthony , PF/SF , {{plainlist, *

(2003–2011) *

(2011–2017) *

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays i ...

(2017–2018) *

(2018–2019) *

(2019–2021) *

(2021–2022)

Notes

{{notelist

References

;General *{{cite web, title=NBA Players with the Most Regular Seasons Played, website=LandOfBasketball.com, url=https://www.landofbasketball.com/all_time_leaders/seasons_total.htm, accessdate=December 23, 2020 *{{cite web, title=For single seasons, played in the NBA/BAA, in the regular season, from 1946–47 to 2016–17, sorted by most seasons matching criteria, work=basketball-reference.com, url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=total&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&season_start=1&season_end=-1&lg_id=NBA&age_min=0&age_max=99&is_playoffs=N&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&as_comp=gt&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&force%3Apos_is=1&c6mult=1.0&order_by=season, accessdate=April 11, 2017, url-access=subscription ;Specific {{Reflist, 30em {{NBA statistical leaders {{DEFAULTSORT:Seasons played leaders National Basketball Association lists National Basketball Association statistical leaders

Seasons played leaders

See also

Notes

References