LeBron James, 41, said he doesn’t see why athletes should retire if they’re still performing at a high level.

In a video posted Monday from a live “The Shop” podcast panel at Fanatics Fest, the NBA star talked about what keeps him playing after 23 seasons and why he’s not ready to stop.

“One of the deciding factors, among many, is the younger generation and the children who have followed my career,” James said.

Seeing the young fans who still consider him “their superhero,” as well as inspiring his own children, are among his biggest motivations to continue playing basketball, he added.

“And then, I just love what I do. I love the game,” James said.

The idea that athletes should be forced to retire just because of their age “must end,” he said.

“You see it with R&B artists and musicians, and things of that nature. You see it with us in sports. There’s always conversations like, when is he going to retire? He needs to retire. He’s this age. He’s that age,” James said.

“But why? Why are we trying to force people who still do what they do to a high level?” James continued.

He pointed to Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones as examples of artists who are not expected to retire simply because of their age.

“The Stones have been touring for 50, 60 years and no one tells them, ‘Hey, don’t come to our city and tour,'” he added.

James said the same logic should apply to athletes. Those who are still dedicated to their craft and continue to contribute to the sport should not be expected to retire.

“We are giving everything we have to the sport and we also continue to generate income. Why not continue playing if you still love it?” James said. “I’m just trying to squeeze as much juice out of it as possible.”

James’ comments come just weeks after he became an unrestricted free agent, ending his eight-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. If they’re any indication, he’s not ready to slow down just yet, although it’s not yet known where he’ll play next.

“We’re not going to be in a rush,” Rich Paul, James’ agent, said on Monday’s episode of the “Game Over” podcast, which he co-hosts with Max Kellerman. “It’s his decision, and when he makes the decision, he will make it.”

James is not the only public figure to reject the idea that age alone should determine when someone retires.

Roger Federer has previously spoken out about the retirement speculation that dogged him for years.

In a press conference after the 2018 US Open, the tennis great said that journalists had been asking him about retirement for “nine years” and that “almost every interview” included questions about when he would call it quits.

“Sometimes you wonder why they ask you again because don’t they listen to what I said yesterday? Don’t they listen to what I said two months ago?” Federer said. He eventually retired in 2022 after battling persistent knee injuries.

Halle Berry has also said that she doesn’t understand why people think 60 is the age to stop working.

“Why should I sit down now and reveal everything, and then what?” Berry said during a podcast appearance in July.