Unexpectedly Active NBA Players: 12 Still Playing

The passage of time in basketball does not always go hand in hand with retirement, and there are names who, despite having disappeared from the media spotlight or seeming to be part of another era, continue to compete at the highest level.

Players that many would consider retired are still active, adding minutes, leading projects or providing experience in leagues around the world.

David Doblas, 44 years old – Veertien Mie (Japan)

Far from having said goodbye to professional basketball, David Doblas continues to expand one of the longest and most unique careers in active Spanish basketball. At 44 years old, the Cantabrian center continues to compete in Japan after recently signing for Veertien Mie, confirming that his link with the Asian country is far from being circumstantial. Doblas first arrived in the B. LEAGUE in 2018 and, since then, has built a career in Japanese basketball, going through multiple projects. After putting down roots in teams such as Levanga Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Osaka or Shiga, his new stage at Veertien Mie exposes an unusual case in European basketball, where a former historical captain of Gipuzkoa Basket and double promotion to the ACB continues to compete at a professional level when many of his contemporaries have already hung up their shoes years ago.

Dwight Howard, 40 years old – LA Riot (Big 3, 3×3)

One of the most athletic and dominant centers of the 2000s and 2010s remains in the wheel after turning 40 years old. After becoming NBA champion in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, he slowed down the competitive pace and, after passing through countries as exotic as Taiwan or the Philippines, he has been competing since April in the Big3 league, one of the most famous 3×3 basketball tournaments in the United States. On his team, LA Riot, there are other former NBA players such as Jordan Crawford, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson.

Jahlil Okafor, 30 years old – Levanga Hokkaido (Japan)

After his brief time at Casademont Zaragoza, Jahlil Okafor headed to China in the 2023-24 season. The third pick in the 2015 draft finished that season in Puerto Rico. Last season he competed in the G League (Indiana Mad Ants) with a great impact, he closed it again in Puerto Rico and is currently in Japan. With Levanga Hokkaido he is averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds per game in the B. LEAGUE.

Javier Beirán, 38 years old – Valencia Basket (3X3 Team)

The Madrid native announced his retirement from professional basketball in June after two decades of being active. Estudiantes, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuenlabrada and Saint-Quentin in their last two seasons. However, we can continue to see the world champion in 2019, having joined the Valencia Basket 3×3 team.

Hassan Whiteside, 36 years old – Shanghai Sharks (China)

Remembered for his individual explosion as a player for the Miami Heat, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team in 2016, Whiteside is in China with the Shanghai Sharks. The center’s last role was to be Rudy Gobert’s backup center for the Utah Jazz during 21-22. From there, Pirates of Quebradillas and Crabbers of Santurce from Puerto Rico. In between for both teams, a one-year break due to shoulder surgery.

Javale McGee, 37 years old – Illawarra Hawks (Australia)

After 16 seasons and three rings in the NBA, Javale McGee made the move to Puerto Rico in 2025. With Vaqueros de Bayamón he became champion along with Danilo Gallinari to later move to the other side of the world. In the Australian NBL, with the Illawarra Hawks, McGee remains in top form with 22 points and more than 10 rebounds per game.

Boban Marjanovic, 37 years old – Perspektiva Ilirija (Slovenia)

Boban Marjanovic continues to be active after signing for Perspektiva Ilirija, a debutant Slovenian club in the ABA League, ending a period of inactivity after his brief time at Fenerbahçe and a short experience in China. Marjanovic, who played nine seasons in the NBA and left his best performance in the 2018-19 campaign, now seeks to provide experience and interior presence to an Ilirija team that has several well-known names from European basketball, such as Ognjen Jaramaz or Edo Muric.

Nacho Martín, 42 years old – Sa Real Instalaciones Arévalo Ibiza (Tercera FEB)

With more than two decades of professional experience, Nacho Martín refuses to say goodbye to basketball. The interior, in up to six different teams in the Endesa League and as many in FEB competitions, currently plays in Tercera FEB (the old EBA League) in Ibiza, and making a difference: 22 points (52.9% triples), 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game

Vitor Faverani, 37 years old – Grupo Caesa Seguros FC Cartagena (First FEB)

FC Cartagena CB closed its squad for the 2025-26 season with an impact signing by announcing the return of Vitor Faverani to Spanish basketball seven years later, becoming one of the names of the Primera FEB. At 37 years old, the Brazilian center arrived from São Paulo, where he had his best recent season after his return to the court. With a career marked by his time in the Endesa League, Euroleague, NBA and multiple FEB competitions, and after wearing historical jerseys such as those of Unicaja, Valencia Basket, Barcelona or Boston Celtics, Faverani currently averages 12.5 and 7.5 points per game with the Murcia team.

Montrezl Harrell, 31 years old – Chicago Triplets (Big 3, 3×3)

Like Howard, Montrezl Harrell saw the Big 3 as a way to continue being active in basketball, even if it was not the usual competitive dynamic. The interior, who stood out during his time in the Los Angeles Clippers, later did not find stability in the NBA, going through four franchises in a matter of three years. In 2023, he moved to the Chinese league to play for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and, in May 2025, he signed with the Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican BSN.

Kenneth Faried, 35 years old – Panathinaikos (Greece)

One of this season’s stories stars Kenneth Faried. The 35-year-old center arrived at Panathinaikos as a patch for the absences of Mathias Lessort and Omer Yurtseven and his impact was extraordinarily unexpected. The former NBA, without any worthwhile adaptation process, was proclaimed MVP of November, his first month in the competition, with 13.5 points with 64.5% shooting from the field, 7.5 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Derrick Williams, 34 years old – Suwon KT Sonicboom (South Korea)

Another unusual destination for a former NBA and Euroleague player. Derrick Williams changed gears this summer to compete in South Korea after two seasons away from the big leagues. After his last stay at Panathinaikos in 23-24, the power forward played for his former teammate JJ Barea’s Guaynabo Mets.