10 NBA stars aging through Media Day photos, from rookie years to now

Oct 3, 2025, 12:00 PM UTC

MixCollage-02-Oct-2025-02-28-PM-3936_69f7be

Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

Father Time comes for us all — even the greatest athletes in the world. With another NBA Media Day in the books signaling the start of a new season, it’s a fun time to look back at the rookie photoshoots for some of the biggest stars in the league and see just how much they’ve aged over the years.

NBA fans have been incredibly fortunate to see today’s greatest players extend their careers longer than ever. While Michael Jordan only played 14.5 seasons, and Bill Russell and Larry Bird played 13 seasons each, there are several future Hall of Fame inductees beyond for 20 years or more in the league. LeBron James is entering his 23rd season in 2025-26, while Chris Paul is entering his 21st season. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry aren’t far behind them.

With NBA preseason now underway, we thought it would be a good time to look back at some classic NBA Media Day photoshoots over the years, as well as the current picture days to see how time has taken a toll on the sport’s biggest names. For more preview content, check out our preseason MVP rankings, five rookies who can challenge Cooper Flagg for ROY, and our stab at guessing all 16 teams that will make the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

LeBron James: 2003 vs. 2025

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2003 NBA Rookie Shoot on September 10, 2003 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Blaine OhigashiNBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Steph Curry 2009 vs. 2025

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a portrait during 2009 NBA Media Day on September 28, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Steve Yeater/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA- SEPTEMBER 29: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a head shot during 2025 NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Mike Rasay/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Kevin Durant 2007 vs. 2025

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 1: Kevin Durant #35 of the Seattle SuperSonics poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the Furtado Center on October 1, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Trena Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during media day on September 29, 2025 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Nikola Jokic 2015 vs. 2025

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a head shot on September 28, 2015 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during media day on September 29, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013 vs. 2025

ST. FRANCIS, WI - SEPTEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2013 at the Bucks Training Center in St. Francis, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Benny Sieu/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece is in action during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, 3rd place game between Greece and Finland at Xiaomi Arena in Riga, Latvia, on September 14, 2025. (Photo by Stefanos Kyriazis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Giannis was sick for media day, so this photo from two weeks earlier at EuroBasket will have to do.

James Harden 2009 vs. 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2009 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEBER 29: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers poses for a head shot during media day on September 29, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Chris Paul 2005 vs. 2025

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 10: Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets poses during a portrait session with the 2005 NBA rookie class on August 10, 2005 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers poses for a head shot during media day on September 29, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard 2011 vs. 2025

SAN ANTONIO - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during 2011 NBA Media Day at the Spurs Practice Facility on December 14, 2011 in San Antono, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by D.Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers poses for a head shot during media day on September 29, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Doncic 2018 vs. 2025

DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait during the Dallas Mavericks Media Day on September 21, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 29, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Blaine OhigashiNBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2018 vs. 2025

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers poses for a portrait during media day at the LA Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a head shot during Media Day on September 29, 2025 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Martin McGrew/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

See More: