How Many Players Have Ever Played in the NBA?

We all know that the NBA is a highly competitive league, but have you ever wondered just how many players have actually been able to play in the NBA? According to our research, the answer is a little over 4,000.

Introduction

How many players have ever played in the NBA? This is a question that often comes up and there are a few different ways to answer it.

The most straight-forward answer is that, as of the end of the 2018-19 season, 3,486 players had appeared in at least one NBA game.

However, this number includes players who were traded mid-season and only played a few games for their new team, as well as players who were signed to “10-day contracts” (players who can be signed by a team for up to 10 days before the team has to decide whether to sign them for the rest of the season).

If we only count players who were on an NBA roster for an entire season, the number drops to 2,996.

And if we only count players who were on an NBA roster at the start of the season (i.e., excluding players who were traded or signed mid-season), the number drops even further, to 2,536.

So depending on how you define “played in the NBA,” your answer could be anywhere from 2,536 to 3,486.

How Many Players Have Played in the NBA?

Since the National Basketball Association was founded in 1946, there have been over 3,600 players who have played in at least one NBA game. That number includes players who were on an NBA roster but never actually got into a game, as well as players who were signed to a 10-day contract or two-way deal and appeared in games. It also includes players who played in the ABA for a few years before the league merged with the NBA in 1976.

Who are the Most Prolific Players in NBA History?

Since the National Basketball Association was founded in 1946, there have been many great players who have graced the hardwood. Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are just a few of the household names that come to mind. But how many players have actually played in the NBA?

The answer may surprise you. As of the 2019-20 season, a total of 4,744 players have appeared in at least one regular season game in the NBA. That number includes players who were traded mid-season and those who were signed to fill in for injured teammates. It also includes players who suited up for multiple teams during their careers.

The most prolific player in NBA history is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played in 1,560 regular season games over his 20-year career. Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, winning six championships with the latter franchise. He is followed by Robert Parish (1,689 games), Karl Malone (1,476 games) and Dirk Nowitzki (1,471 games).

While those four players are at the top of the list when it comes to games played, they are not the only ones worth mentioning. Other notable names include Kobe Bryant (1,346 games), LeBron James (1,143 games), Julius Erving (1,044 games) and Magic Johnson (906 games).

So far, only 487 players have appeared in 1,000 or more regular season games in the NBA. That number will surely grow as more and more great players enter the league each year.

What is the Average Length of an NBA Career?

The average length of an NBA career is just over four and a half years, but very few players stay in the league that long. In fact, the average player only spends about three and a half years in the NBA before being out of the league for good.

The reason for this is that there are only so many spots available in the NBA, and every year, there are always new players coming into the league who are looking to take someone’s spot. So, even if a player is good enough to stick around for a while, eventually they will likely be replaced by someone who is younger and/or more talented.

There have been some players who have been able to play in the NBA for 10, 15, or even 20 years, but they are definitely the exception rather than the rule. Players like Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tim Duncan are all future Hall of Famers who were able to enjoy long and successful careers, but most players are not so fortunate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is impossible to say definitively how many players have ever played in the NBA. However, based on the available data, it is safe to say that the number is at least several thousand.