LeBron James’ legacy is undeniable, and the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has just achieved another historic milestone.

On February 7, LeBron scored 38 points in the Lakers’ 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s nearly 40-year-old record of 37,387 points to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,390 points. This remarkable feat sets James apart in a league where only seven active players have surpassed 10,000 career points.

This achievement adds to an already illustrious career that includes 19 NBA All-Star selections, 18 All-NBA team appearances, four MVP awards, and four NBA championships.

During a pause in the third quarter to celebrate his record-breaking moment, LeBron expressed his gratitude: “I feel so honored to be in front of a great legend like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It couldn’t be any better than today. Thank you so much.”

James has not only conquered the court but has also thrived off it. At 38, he remains the highest-paid player in the NBA, with $124.5 million in earnings for the 2022-2023 season, including $80 million from endorsements with Nike, AT&T, Beats By Dre, and other top brands. Over his career, LeBron James has amassed an astounding $1.3 billion in pre-tax earnings, solidifying his status as a true icon both in sports and business.

On February 7, LeBron James officially became the greatest shooter in NBA history with a record of 38,388 points. Photo: Getty Images.

LeBron James is also a successful businessman ( Forbes doesn’t include his income). He has invested in several brands, including smart fitness company Tonal, which provide him with equity income. In 2015, James walked away from a $15 million, four-year deal with McDonald’s to invest in the Blaze Pizza chain.

He co-founded sports nutrition company Ladder and recently became an investor in Major League Pickleball, German bicycle manufacturer Canyon Bicycles, and organic milk brand Neutral Foods. In 2020, James co-founded entertainment and film production company SpringHill Co., which was valued at $725 million in 2021. The company produced the feature film Space Jam: A New Legacy and the HBO documentary What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali. LeBron James remains SpringHill Co.’s largest shareholder.

Another milestone for LeBron James is that he is the first NBA player to become a billionaire while still playing. Forbes estimates that James has a net worth of $1 billion from his stakes in SpringHill, the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group – owner of Liverpool FC, Blaze Pizza, his real estate and other cash income.

Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan are among the few athletes to become billionaires, but Jordan only achieved the title 10 years after he retired. In an interview with GQ in 2014, eight years before he became a billionaire, LeBron James pondered the possibility.

“It would be the biggest milestone of my life if it came true. I would be so excited to be a billionaire athlete,” James shared at the time.

But LeBron James doesn’t want to stop both on and off the court, as he once shared that he wants to own a basketball team competing in the NBA like the legendary Michael Jordan, who bought the Charlotte Hornets (formerly known as the Bobcats) in 2010. During a pre-season friendly trip to Las Vegas in October 2022, James expressed interest in having a basketball team here.

Now, LeBron James is waiting for his eldest son Bronny to be old enough to play in the NBA. LeBron James has said he will play in the NBA with his son before his career ends, with Bronny potentially entering the NBA Draft in 2024. In August 2022, James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, with an option to play in the 2024-25 season.

“I know I can play for a few more years,” LeBron James said after the game on February 7.