LeBron James made his debut so long ago that scores of NBA players active today were born after he made his debut.
Two decades later, he is still playing at the highest level while a new generation rises behind him.
Here are seven current NBA players who were born after LeBron James made his debut.
Victor Wembanyama (21)
Victor Wembanyama arrived in the NBA as the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, then went first overall to the San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
The 7-foot-plus French star blends guard skills with elite rim protection in a way the league has never really seen before.
He was already a force in France, winning titles with ASVEL and then sweeping the major individual awards with Metropolitans 92 after leading Pro A in points, rebounds, and blocks.
Wembanyama’s rookie season matched the hype. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks, led the NBA in blocks per game, and won Rookie of the Year unanimously.
Scoot Henderson (21)
Scoot Henderson skipped his senior year of high school to join the G League Ignite at age 17. He is the youngest player in G League history.
He was the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers, and arrived in the league with all the promise of a future star.
Known for lightning-quick bursts, court vision, and shot creation, Henderson blends dynamic scoring with elite athleticism.
He moved straight into Portland’s backcourt and logged 14.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists as a rookie.
Amen Thompson (21)
Amen Thompson built his reputation at Overtime Elite, where he won a championship and took the Finals MVP award.
He became the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, joining the Rockets and entering the league alongside twin brother Ausar.
He averaged 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists as a rookie, despite losing time to an ankle sprain early in the season.
His first year also featured a career-best 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Pistons.
Ausar Thompson (21)
Ausar Thompson followed the same route as his twin brother, rising through Overtime Elite before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
He also built a strong résumé there, winning a championship and earning the league’s Regular Season MVP award.
He went fifth overall to the Detroit Pistons and made an immediate defensive impact.
As a rookie, he averaged 9.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while adding 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Cam Whitmore (21)
Cam Whitmore arrived in the NBA after one season at Villanova, where he won Big East Freshman of the Year.
He then entered the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected 20th overall by the Houston Rockets.
Whitmore won the 2023 Summer League MVP award after averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals across the tournament.
His rookie season also showed clear progress. He averaged 12.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while earning a regular place in Houston’s rotation.
Keyonte George (22)
Keyonte George entered the NBA after one season at Baylor, where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
Utah selected him 16th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and moved him straight into a large role.
George recorded 33 points against Indiana as a rookie and finished the year with 13.0 points and 4.4 assists per game.
He also set a franchise rookie record with nine three-pointers in a win over Portland.
His second season brought another jump. George increased his scoring, logged several 30-point nights, and became a full-time starter.
Matas Buzelis (21)
Matas Buzelis arrived in the NBA after a season with G League Ignite, where he averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks.
Buzelis also built a strong reputation before turning pro. He won Naismith Prep Player of the Year honours in high school and represented Lithuania at the youth level.
In his rookie NBA season, he averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 18.9 minutes.
This season, he has already increased his output to around 15 points and 5.8 rebounds, showing real growth in his second year.
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