First active NBA Player becomes billionaire

LeBron James has hit the $1 billion milestone after nearly 20 years in the NBA. The iconic Los Angeles Lakers star just became the first NBA player to score the billionaire title while still actively playing, Forbes reported.  

The 18-time all-star, who earned $121.2 million from May 2021 to May 2022 in on-court salary and off-court earnings, is one of the greatest basketball players in history, landing four NBA championships and four MVP awards. 

James seemingly manifested his latest achievement after telling GQ in 2014 that he would be “excited” if he became a billion-dollar athlete. 

“I want to maximize my business,” James said. “And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my god. I’m gonna be excited.”

Based on Forbes’ estimate, James has raked in more than $385 million in on-court earnings during his nearly 20-year career with the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. 

He’s projected to earn another $44.5 million next season in LA as part of his two-year contract, Forbes reported.

Michael Jordan has been the only other professional basketball player to become a billionaire, but as Forbes noted, he didn’t secure the achievement until more than a decade after his retirement when he invested in the Charlotte Hornets