The Hall of Famer has been spotted sporting a grayer beard than usual that both matches his persona as basketball’s ultimate sage and pairs nicely with the vacationwear he’s been photographed in while jetting around the world. Between spending time in Croatia watching E1 Series Dubrovnik GP, hanging with former Cavaliers teammates in the Scottish Highlands, and shooting a few rounds of golf at a Los Angeles country club, James appears to be living his best life.
The 41-year-old has been playing in the NBA since he was 18, making him the youngest-ever number one overall pick in the league. For the past 23 years, James’ style has evolved as basketball players have become more entrenched in the fashion world, and his facial hair choices have also been a part of that expression—whether it was a clean-shaven look, a goatee, or, as of late, a full, well-shaped beard.
“A well-maintained gray beard often projects confidence, maturity, and experience rather than simply making someone look older,” master barber Simone Forini at Barberino’s in New York City says. “Much depends on the grooming: a sharp, structured beard can enhance facial features and create a sophisticated, distinguished appearance, while a neglected one can have the opposite effect.”
Fan reception to the new look is positive, with some viewing his embrace of going gray as a flex on a younger generation of basketball players. “I hope LeBron leaves his beard gray during the season dunking on 19- and 20-year-olds,” one X user posted.
For those who are noticing a bit of salt and pepper in their beard forming, Forini says that grooming the facial hair requires more care than usual, as gray hairs might be “coarser, drier, and less cooperative” than pigmented ones. To keep the beard in check, he suggests using a proper beard brush, which detangles those coarse gray hairs while distributing natural oils and grooming products evenly. Plus, he notes that regular brushing will “train the beard to grow in the desired direction, creating a fuller, neater, and more polished appearance.”
James is the oldest active player in the NBA, but his record-breaking run proves age is but a number. His sophisticated gray beard exemplifies the years he’s put into the sport as one of the GOATs. Whatever team James decides to go to—and whether he keeps the salt and pepper during the season—we’re just glad he’s continuing to smile through it all.