LeBron James opens up about his pregame rituals and superstitions

LeBron James has done it all — four championships, countless accolades, and the NBA’s all-time scoring record. Now at 40, the Los Angeles Lakers icon is still pushing forward, recently picking up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season — a year many believe could be his last.

This season, LeBron is set to make history once again by becoming the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons, surpassing Vince Carter’s record of 22. One of the key reasons for LeBron’s incredible longevity is his strict personal routine — and like many superstars, he follows a few unique pre-game superstitions.

In an appearance on Complex’s 360 With Speedy, LeBron shared some of those game-day rituals:

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

“I am always the same unless I feel something is off. I lay my uniform out the same way before every game. I’ll pick a shoe that I’m going to wear, sometimes based on the opponent or team. If I’m playing a certain player, a specific shoe may get worn that night — just because of my competitive nature. Like a colorway.

But if I go out in warmups and I feel a certain way — if the shoes don’t feel right — I’ll absolutely run back to the locker room and change before the game starts. Or if I’m shitty in the first quarter, they’re getting swapped out. I haven’t swapped out many shoes, though, ’cause there aren’t many shitty quarters for me,” LeBron said.

LeBron James talks about his pregame superstitions https://t.co/8vM0NmoIbR pic.twitter.com/hS96jhO7qg

— LeBron Wire (@LeBron_Wire) September 22, 2025

While many speculate that the 2025–26 season will be LeBron’s farewell tour, the 40-year-old has remained mostly quiet about his future — until recently. During his “Forever King” promotional tour in China, he finally addressed the speculation.

“I’m not hinting at anything. Obviously, I know I’m on the other side of the hump, for sure. Come on now, I’m not about to play another 23 years — that’s for damn sure — and I’m not about to play another 10. I’m definitely gearing up to where the end is. I’m not there yet,” James said.

The number 23 holds a special place in LeBron’s heart. Not only has he worn the No. 23 jersey for most of his career, but he’s now entering his 23rd NBA season. His tour in China was part of Nike’s Forever King campaign — celebrating the upcoming release of his 23rd signature sneaker.

Interestingly, the four-time NBA champion has also been spotted picking up new hobbies — particularly golf. However, he was quick to clarify that this doesn’t mean he’s preparing to walk away from basketball just yet.

Even at 40, LeBron remains the most recognizable NBA player in the world and the face of the league. He continues to defy age with his brilliance on the court. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range — the fourth-best three-point percentage of his career — across 70 appearances.

There’s no doubt LeBron is closer to the end than the beginning of his historic journey. But as he enters Year 23, The King still has one goal in mind: winning a fifth NBA title, and his first since 2020.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate basketball fans.