Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances

Being named to the NBA All-Star Game is a high honor and a testament to a player’s skill and hard work. NBA players set their sights on being selected to at least one All-Star Game in their career. However, some players have showcased so much talent and longevity that they have been selected to the NBA All-Star Game more than a dozen times. Read on to learn more about the most appearances players have made in the NBA All-Star Game.

Which NBA Players Have Appeared in the All-Star Game the Most?

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 19 Appearances
• LeBron James - 19 Appearances
• Kobe Bryant - 18 Appearances
• Tim Duncan - 15 Appearances
• Kevin Garnett - 15 Appearances
• Shaquille O’Neal - 15 Appearances

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 19 Appearances

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads the NBA in All-Star Game appearances with 19, tied with LeBron James. Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers between 1969 and 1989, and during that time, he amassed a legendary record matching the likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and many more. Along with his six NBA Championships, 15 All-NBA selections, and his 1995 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Memorial Hall of Fame, Abdul-Jabbar was selected to the All-Star Game 19 times across his career. His selections, in order, occurred consecutively from 1970 to 1977 and from 1979 to 1989. Of these, the only games Abdul-Jabbar missed was the 1973 All-Star Game. He was a replacement selection in the 1989 All-Star Game.

LeBron James - 19 Appearances

Tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star Game appearances, LeBron James is a household name in the basketball world, with a legendary and unparalleled career that has extended far beyond the basketball court. With four NBA Championships, 18 All-NBA selections, and the record for the most points scored by any player in NBA history, LeBron’s 19 All-Star Game selections are just another symbol of his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. LeBron has been selected to every All-Star Game between 2005 and 2023, and served as one of the team captains for six of those games (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Additionally, he was the MVP of the 2006, 2008, and 2018 All-Star Games.

Kobe Bryant - 18 Appearances

Across his 19-year career, which spanned the years between 1997 and 2016, Kobe Bryant became known not only for his dedication to the Los Angeles Lakers, but also his incredible accolades. With five NBA Championships, 15 All-NBA selections, and a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame, Bryant’s legacy will be one of the enduring legends of NBA history, and his 18 All-Star Game appearances are just one part of that legacy. Bryant was selected to the All-Star Game in 1998, and also every year between 2000 and 2016. However, he missed three of those games, in 2010, 2014, and 2015. Bryant was the MVP of the All-Star Game in 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011, and shared the 2009 MVP Award with Shaquille O’Neal. 

Tim Duncan - 15 Appearances

Playing for the San Antonio Spurs from 1998 through 2016, Tim Duncan’s career coincided with much of Kobe Bryant’s, and he earned himself similar achievements. Like Bryant, Duncan won five NBA Championships in his career and was named All-NBA 15 times, along with three NBA Finals MVP Awards. Duncan was also selected to the All-Star Game 15 times, in 1998, consecutively from 2000 to 2011, in 2013, and finally in 2015.

Kevin Garnett - 15 Appearances

Between 1996 and 2016, Kevin Garnett established himself as one of the leading big men of the NBA, playing power forward, center, and small forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Though he only has a single NBA Championship win from 2008, Garnett’s other achievements are as impressive as any of the players above him on this list, including nine All-NBA selections, 12 All-Defensive selections, and the title of MVP for the 2003-2004 season, all of which led him to a Hall of Fame induction. Garnett was selected to the All-Star Game 15 times, in 1997, 1998, consecutively from 2000 through 2011, and in 2013. He missed the 2008 game, and was a replacement selection in 1997. He was named All-Star MVP in 2003.

Shaquille O’Neal - 15 Appearances

A basketball legend on and off the court, Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal played for the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics. With four NBA Championships, 14 All-NBA selections, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, and a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, O’Neal’s career speaks for itself, as do his 15 All-Star Game appearances. Shaq was selected to the All-Star Game from 1993 to 1998, from 2000 to 2007, and in 2009. Of these selections, he missed three games (1997, 2001, 2002), and he was the All-Star MVP in 2000, 2004, and 2009, the latter of which he shared with Kobe Bryant.

Honorable Mentions

The following players have also appeared in the All-Star Game multiple times:

• Michael Jordan - 14 Appearances
• Karl Malone - 14 Appearances
• Dirk Nowitzki - 14 Appearances
• Jerry West - 14 Appearances
• Wilt Chamberlain - 13 Appearances
• Bob Cousy - 13 Appearances
• Kevin Durant - 13 Appearances
• John Havlicek - 13 Appearances
• Dwyane Wade - 13 Appearances
• Larry Bird - 12 Appearances
• Elvin Hayes - 12 Appearances
• Magic Johnson - 12 Appearances
• Moses Malone - 12 Appearances
• Hakeem Olajuwon - 12 Appearances
• Chris Paul - 12 Appearances
• Oscar Robertson - 12 Appearances
• Bill Russell - 12 Appearances
• Dolph Schayes - 12 Appearances
• Isiah Thomas - 12 Appearances

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