We now have spent the previous week counting down our listing of the high 100 athletes of the twenty first century, however what concerning the subsequent era?
If we’re doing one other listing in 2050, which present athletes who did not make it this time round are prone to be included?
We got here up with a listing of 25 — together with some you most likely already know fairly effectively equivalent to Caitlin Clark, Justin Jefferson and Scottie Scheffler. There are a pair — Noah Lyles and Hezly Rivera — you’ll study extra about through the Olympic Video games in Paris.
And we may be introducing just a few people — equivalent to Kimi Antonelli, the inheritor obvious to steer the Mercedes F1 staff.
Let’s dive into the subsequent group of potential icons throughout the sports activities panorama as their respective stars rise.
Key accomplishments: 4 main titles, 4-0 in Grand Slam finals, one in every of 4 males within the Open period (since 1968) with 4 main titles earlier than the age of twenty-two.
Rafael Nadal had gained three Grand Slam occasions by the point he turned 22. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic had every gained one. However Alcaraz, who turned 21 in Might, already has 4. He is already three-quarters of his solution to a Profession Slam, one thing Federer did not lock down till age 27. He is already gained 5 Masters 1000 occasions, and he is 19-1 in Slam and Masters finals. It was a giant deal that Alcaraz gained at the very least one match at every Slam in 2021, his age 18 season, however he has proceeded to boost the bar numerous occasions. He is received Djokovic’s velocity, Nadal’s physicality and, sometimes, Federer’s artistry. He radiates pleasure, smiling after factors gained and misplaced and sometimes applauding his opponent. He is simply getting began. — Invoice Connelly
Kimi Antonelli, auto racing
Key accomplishments: Racing in F2 in 2024 as a 17-year-old, 2023 Method Regional Center East and European champion, 2022 ADAC Method 4 champion, 2022 Italian F4 champion.
Think about being the driving force trusted to interchange Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton — now think about you have not even turned 18 but. That is the state of affairs dealing with Italian wonderkid and Method 2 racer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes junior and motor racing’s present ‘”subsequent huge factor.” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, nonetheless sore about lacking out on Max Verstappen a decade in the past, is set to not let historical past repeat itself with a expertise he thinks may be generational. Italy has not had a world champion since 1953 — if he lives as much as the hype, Antonelli may be the driving force to finish that agonizing wait. — Nate Saunders
Key accomplishments: 2024 Calder award winner as greatest rookie, youngest participant in Blackhawks historical past with 60-point season, No. 1 choose in 2023 NHL draft; youngest participant in Western Hockey League historical past to attain 50 objectives in a season, 2023 IIHF Male Participant of the Yr.
Not that the NHL is missing in terms of younger superstars, however there’s a perception Bedard may very well be the face of the league ultimately. His identify was already being mentioned in NHL rinks years earlier than he was draft eligible. Bedard simply completed his rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks, profitable the Calder Trophy, ending with 22 objectives and 61 factors over 69 video games, taking part in high minutes as an 18-year-old. Being trusted with that a lot duty at a younger age is an honor reserved for these projected to be franchise cornerstones. Bedard may very well be simply that and probably extra because the Blackhawks search to return to prominence as one of many NHL’s elite groups. — Ryan Clark
Key accomplishments: 2022 South American Footballer of the Yr, 2022 Copa América Femenina Golden Ball, 2022 Copa América Femenina Greatest XI, 2021 Copa Libertadores Femenina Workforce of the Season, 2019 Colombian Ladies’s Soccer League Prime scorer.
To offer an concept of Caicedo’s rise to the highest, she was the primary participant to compete at three Ladies’s World Cups (U-17, U-20 and senior stage) inside a 12 months. Going into the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup, all eyes have been on Caicedo, who delivered sport in, sport out. Her beautiful purpose in opposition to Germany will reside in followers’ recollections, and she or he led Colombia to the quarterfinals, its greatest end at a World Cup. Now at Actual Madrid, the 19-year-old is destined for nice issues for each membership and nation. — SherShah Atif
Key accomplishments: All-time scoring chief in faculty basketball historical past; all-time chief in factors, assists and 3-pointers within the NCAA match; 2024 and 2023 AP School Participant of the Yr; 2024 WNBA All-Star; recorded first rookie triple-double in WNBA historical past; set WNBA single-game assists document.
A two-time nationwide participant of the 12 months in faculty, Clark grew to become the NCAA Division I all-time main scorer for women and men throughout her senior season at Iowa. Chosen No. 1 total within the 2024 WNBA draft, the Indiana Fever rookie has helped catalyze this second of exponential progress for ladies’s basketball that includes document TV rankings, sellout crowds and elevated funding. Although her deep 3-point taking pictures was a trademark of her sport in faculty, Clark’s facilitating has shined most to date on the professional stage. She’s the one rookie in league historical past to tally a triple-double or to have a number of 20-point, 10-assist video games, and she or he could lead on the WNBA in assists by season’s finish. — Alexa Philippou
Key accomplishments: Undefeated skilled (12-0) and beginner (4-0) data, 7-0 since debuting in PFL in 2022, gained 11 of 12 skilled fights by end (10 by knockout, one by submission), gained gold medal at 2016 Worldwide Federation of Muaythai Beginner World Championships.
There may be nonetheless a whole lot of work to be finished by Ditcheva (12-0) in opposition to greater ranges of competitors — but when she continues the trail she’s been on, the PFL may have a difference-maker on this 26-year-old out of Liverpool. Ditcheva has already proven a capability to carry out below the very best of expectations. She handles the highlight fantastically. She strikes and throws punches in a approach that jumps off the display. It’s uncommon to see a flyweight lady constantly end all of her opponents so viciously. There may be one other gear to her offense that has overwhelmed opponents to date. She faces Jena Bishop in August within the semifinals of PFL’s playoffs. If she wins, she is going to face a longtime identify within the finals: Liz Carmouche or Taila Santos. The following chapter is coming in a short time for Ditcheva. It will not be straightforward, however she has the proper mixture of charisma, confidence and ending capacity to change into a reputable star. — Brett Okamoto
Key accomplishments: 5-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 2018-19 Rookie of the Yr, 2023-24 Western Convention MVP, third participant in NBA historical past with 5 first-team All-NBA alternatives earlier than turning 26, tied for eighth in triple-doubles in NBA historical past with 77.
After Doncic danced and drilled the go-ahead 3 with seconds remaining in Sport 2 of the Western Convention finals, he roared at Rudy Gobert: “You may’t f—ing guard me!” Gobert, a four-time Defensive Participant of the Yr, has loads of firm in that distress. The 25-year-old Doncic simply had one of the vital prolific statistical seasons in NBA historical past, averaging 33.9 factors (a league-high), 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per sport, a mixture by no means earlier than completed. Solely Michael Jordan has the next profession playoff scoring common than Doncic’s 30.9. — Tim MacMahon
Key accomplishments: Fourth-youngest purpose scorer for Brazil’s Senior staff and fifth participant 17 or youthful to attain for Brazil, becoming a member of Pelé, Edú, Ronaldo and Coutinho; 2022 and 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A winner; 2023 Supercopa do Brasil winner; 2023 and 2024 Campeonato Paulista winner.
Actual Madrid beat virtually all the main European golf equipment to signal then 16-year-old Endrick for a whopping €72 million in 2022. Expectations are actually excessive for the teen, some even evaluating him to late Brazil legend Pelé. Smart past his years, Endrick responded by saying “Simply let historical past be made.” The stocky striker can do all of it: Dash previous defenders, use trickery to idiot opposition and depend on his power to complete contained in the field. At a world-class membership like Actual Madrid, Endrick will certainly change into a family identify over the subsequent decade. — SherShah Atif
Gabriela Fundora, boxing
Key accomplishments: 13-0 skilled document, IBF world flyweight champion, 2-0 in world title fights, No. 2 ladies’s flyweight boxer in line with ESPN rankings.
Fundora, referred to as “Candy Poison,” is simply 22 however has already gained the IBF flyweight title and has made one profitable protection. Fundora, from Coachella, California, is an thrilling fighter to look at, with six stoppage victories in her 13 wins, and that punching energy and youth will certainly information her to win extra titles in a number of divisions. She is the sister of Sebastian Fundora, the WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion. They’re the primary brother-and-sister siblings to carry boxing world titles concurrently. Fundora has the potential to succeed future Corridor of Famer and present unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, the 35-year-old Puerto Rican who has gained titles in seven weight lessons, and change into the largest ladies’s boxing star within the smaller weight lessons. — Nick Parkinson
Naoya Inoue, boxing
Key accomplishments: 27-0 skilled document, 24 wins by knockout, 22-0 in world title fights, four-division champion (junior flyweight, junior bantamweight, bantamweight, junior featherweight)
Inoue is already an all-time nice at 31, probably the greatest boxers in historical past below 126 kilos. He is additionally a megastar in Japan: Inoue’s sixth-round TKO victory over Luis Nery in Might packed practically 60,000 followers into the Tokyo Dome for the primary boxing occasion within the famed venue since Buster Douglas handed Mike Tyson his first loss as an expert in 1990. Every time Inoue strikes up in weight, he appears to pack a bit of extra punch. “The Monster” has gained every of his previous eight fights inside the space. His 2019 victory over future Corridor of Famer Nonito Donaire was ESPN’s 2019 Battle of the Yr. Inoue gained titles at 108 and 115 kilos, gained the undisputed championship at 118 and is the reigning undisputed champion at 122 kilos. He is unlikely to cease there, too, together with his sights set on 126 kilos. — Mike Coppinger
Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP, two-time first-team All-Professional choose, three-time Professional Bowl choose, second unanimous MVP in NFL historical past in 2019, first participant with 3,000 passing yards and 800 speeding yards in a number of seasons.
Jackson has established himself as one of the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL historical past and one of many league’s high playmakers. He grew to become the youngest two-time NFL Most Precious Participant because the merger, profitable the award once more final season on the age of 27. Beating defenses together with his arm in addition to his legs, Jackson has produced a 58-19 document (.753), which is one of the best mark by a quarterback with at the very least 50 begins since 2018. “Lamar Jackson is an outstanding success,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “He is an outstanding success as a soccer participant. He is an outstanding success as an individual, as a frontrunner, as a household man. In my view, there’s no one higher on this league, particularly no one higher for the Baltimore Ravens, and for this group, and for this metropolis. I am excited concerning the future.” — Jamison Hensley
Key accomplishments: Three-time Professional Bowl choose, one-time first-team All-Professional, 2022 AP Offensive Participant of the Yr, his 5,899 profession receiving yards are essentially the most by way of a participant’s first 4 seasons in NFL historical past, one in every of 4 gamers in NFL historical past to document 1,600 receiving yards in consecutive seasons: Tyreek Hill (2022-23), Justin Jefferson (2021-22), Antonio Brown (2014-15), Calvin Johnson (2011-12).
Jefferson has produced arguably one of the best begin to a profession for a large receiver in NFL historical past. His common of 6.5 catches per sport is the second highest of any receiver in his first 4 seasons, and his common of 98.3 yards per sport is the very best in NFL historical past — for any profession span. He has finished so with a well-honed talent set for getting open in opposition to a wide range of coverages and the type of ball abilities which have led to a collection of iconic catches, most notably to transform a fourth-and-18 at Buffalo in 2022. The one impediment in crafting a Corridor of Fame profession is well being. His 2023 season was shortened to 10 video games due to two important accidents, a torn proper hamstring and a bruised lung, however he nonetheless produced his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard effort. — Kevin Seifert
Key accomplishments: Present world No. 1, 14 LPGA Tour wins, two-time main winner, gold medal winner at Tokyo Olympics.
Korda’s silky easy swing has left different golfers questioning how anybody else can beat her. On April 21, Korda gained her fifth consecutive begin — and second main championship — on the Chevron Championship, becoming a member of Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the one LPGA golfers to take action. It wasn’t at all times really easy. After capturing her first main and a gold medal on the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Korda was sidelined for a lot of the subsequent season with a blood clot. She battled again to return to the No. 1 on the earth. After seeing Korda’s swing on the QBE Shootout in December 2022, PGA Tour professional Kevin Kisner referred to as her the “Tiger Woods of the LPGA.” — Mark Schlabach
Key accomplishments: UEFA ladies’s Nations League winner with Spain Senior staff, two-time Liga F winner, Copa de la Reina winner, two-time Supercopa de Espana winner, two-time UEFA Ladies’s Champions league winner with Barcelona.
At simply 17 years previous, Lopez is thought for her decision-making and consciousness. “She’s very clever and is aware of learn how to interpret the sport very effectively,” Alba Mellado, former Actual Madrid participant, mentioned of Lopez. Not often do gamers win a coveted Champions League trophy, and the precocious Lopez already has two with Barcelona. Earlier than breaking loads of data for membership and nation, the versatile attacker was making waves on a worldwide stage, profitable the U17 World Cup with Spain in addition to the Golden Ball award. Her potential is sky-high, and amid a Barca staff brimming with stars, she’s certain to earn a beginning place. — SherShah Atif
Noah Lyles, monitor
Key accomplishments: Bronze medal in males’s 200 meters on the Tokyo Olympics, six-time world championships gold medalist, two-time world indoor championships silver medalist, first man to finish the dash treble at a world championships since Usain Bolt in 2015, five-time Diamond League champion; gold medalist at 2024 World Relays in Nassau; two-time world U20 championships gold medalist
Lyles has gained six world gold medals and an Olympic bronze, and but it appears that evidently one of the best days are nonetheless forward for the 26-year-old. On the Paris Olympics in only a few weeks, his potential is sky-high. He’s anticipated to compete in three occasions — the 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4×100 relay — three races he gained at the latest world championships. “As individuals look again at this 12 months, they’re gonna be like, ‘That is the 12 months that Noah gained the 200, the 100 and the four-by-[100 relay],'” Lyles mentioned at worlds. “After which they will be like, ‘That’s the begin of a dynasty.'” — Amy Van Deusen
Key accomplishments: 2022 Norris Trophy winner, 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, 2022 Stanley Cup champion, 2020 Calder Trophy winner, second-most factors for defenseman by way of 300 profession video games in NHL historical past behind Bobby Orr
Makar continues to be in comparison with Orr, the particular person usually thought-about the best defenseman in NHL historical past. Orr was a Norris Trophy finalist in his first 4 seasons, profitable it 3 times in that span. As for Makar, the 25-year-old has been a finalist in 4 consecutive years and gained the award in 2022. He fell some extent shy of tying Orr because the quickest defenseman to 300 profession factors and is averaging greater than some extent per sport in his five-year profession (336 factors in 315 video games). He has a Stanley Cup title and a Conn Smythe with the possibility so as to add extra because the Colorado Avalanche stay in a championship window. — Ryan Clark
Key accomplishments: UFC bantamweight champion, 18-1 document, six wins by knockout, 2-0 in UFC title fights, third-best important strike differential in UFC historical past (+4.24)
In only a few years, Sean O’Malley has gone from a lanky energy puncher on “Dana White’s Contender Collection,” to the immensely widespread UFC bantamweight champion identified for his trademark colourful coiffure. O’Malley possesses beautiful energy packed in a wiry body and an “it” issue that few have in fight sports activities. He has change into a human spotlight reel of finishes courtesy of his distinctive hanging capacity and distinctive charisma. He already has gained essentially the most postfight bonuses in UFC bantamweight historical past (9) and acquired the ESPY award for Greatest MMA Fighter this 12 months. Some thought he was pushed into the title image too rapidly, however he silenced the naysayers when he dominated Aljamain Sterling and captured UFC gold. Blended martial arts is an extremely unpredictable sport, however O’Malley has proven fixed enchancment in all aspects and has the potential to change into the UFC’s subsequent huge factor over the subsequent few years. — Andreas Hale
Key accomplishments: 2023-24 SEC Participant of the Yr, 2024 WNBA All-Star, holds WNBA single-season document with 15 straight double-doubles, seeking to change into first rookie to steer in rebounds per sport since 2010.
One other participant who has been a face of the expansion of girls’s basketball, Reese led LSU to the 2023 NCAA championship because the Remaining 4 Most Excellent Participant. The Baltimore native, who prides herself on unapologetic authenticity, set the NCAA single-season document for double-doubles (34) through the 2022-23 marketing campaign. After being chosen No. 7 total by the Chicago Sky, the rookie proved her sport, vitality and can would translate to the subsequent stage: Reese notched 15 consecutive double-doubles to interrupt the WNBA document, passing the likes of Candace Parker. — Alexa Philippou
Hezly Rivera, gymnastics
Key accomplishments: At 16, the youngest member of Workforce USA competing on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Two-time junior world championships silver medalist (staff and flooring train), 2023 Winter Cup all-around, steadiness beam and flooring gold medalist, 2022 U.S. gold medalist in steadiness beam
Whereas Rivera would not have the credentials of among the different athletes on this listing but, she is clearly positioned to be one of many subsequent nice U.S. gymnasts. Rivera, who turned 16 in June, would be the youngest U.S. Olympian in any sport in Paris, and made the outstanding soar from junior nationwide champion to Olympic staff in a single 12 months. The cool below stress she displayed at Olympic trials captured everybody’s consideration, and she is going to possible come out of this 12 months’s Video games with at the very least a staff medal (most likely gold). Whereas veteran teammates equivalent to Simone Biles and Suni Lee would possibly forestall her from incomes particular person medals this time, all bets are off for the world and Olympic competitions down the highway. — Amy Van Deusen
Key accomplishments: Present world No. 1, 12 profession PGA Tour wins, two-time Masters winner, has made 40 straight cuts
Scheffler’s meteoric rise from a golfer who could not win to at least one who can not seem to cease profitable has been nothing in need of wonderful. He gained 4 occasions in six begins in 2022, together with his first main on the Masters. Final season, he added two extra victories and posted a scoring common of 68.63, the seventh-lowest in PGA Tour historical past and one of the best by any participant not named Tiger. This 12 months, Scheffler grew to become the primary golfer since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to win six occasions earlier than July 1, together with his second Masters title. Scheffler’s ballstriking has rivaled you-know-who on the peak of his Corridor of Fame profession, and so has his creativity and delicate fingers across the greens. — Mark Schlabach
Key accomplishments: First participant in June beginner draft historical past (since 1965) to be drafted and make the All-Star staff the next 12 months; fifth rookie to begin an All-Star Sport becoming a member of Dave Stenhouse (1962), Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Hideo Nomo (1995); 34.9% strikeout price is greatest in MLB this season (minimal 11 begins); fourth pitcher since 1893 with a number of begins of zero hits and 10-plus strikeouts in a single season, becoming a member of Nolan Ryan (1973), Max Scherzer (2015) and Justin Verlander (2022).
With a fastball that averages 99.2 mph (the quickest within the majors amongst beginning pitchers), a wipeout slider and an unhittable “splinker” (a splitter-sinker hybrid), Skenes’ first two months within the huge leagues have been as electrical as any we have ever seen from a rookie pitcher. He made the All-Star staff — the primary participant to do this the 12 months after he was drafted. Earlier than his second begin, Skenes was requested concerning the changes hitters will make. “Go forward and modify,” he mentioned. “Good luck.” To date, they have not. It is not a stretch to say he is already one of the best starter within the majors. — David Schoenfield
Key accomplishments: 4-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, 2019 World Collection champion. Certainly one of six gamers in MLB historical past with a number of seasons of 30 residence runs and 100 walks earlier than turning 25. He has 25 homers and 125 walks in three straight seasons — solely Barry Bonds (4, 2001-04) and Ted Williams (9, 1941-49) have longer streaks.
When Soto reached the majors as a precocious 19-year-old, he already had the talent that can outline his profession: probably the greatest pairs of eyes within the historical past of the sport. With a profession .422 on-base share, Soto is an OBP machine in an period when getting on base is harder than ever. Since 1950, solely Ted Williams and Barry Bonds have the next OBP amongst gamers with 3,500 plate appearances. Now 25, Soto is on his solution to a fifth straight season with extra walks than strikeouts and a 3rd 30-homer season. He is additionally heading to free company. Let the bidding battle start. — David Schoenfield
Key accomplishments: 5 main titles, 5-0 in Grand Slam finals, high seed in 10 consecutive majors. She is one in every of three gamers (males or ladies) to win every of their first 5 profession main finals within the Open Period (since 1968), becoming a member of Roger Federer and Monica Seles. She’s the one participant (male or feminine) to succeed in the third spherical or higher at each main match performed because the begin of 2020.
The factor about rating gamers primarily based on a selected time period is that it is exhausting to determine what to do about somebody like Swiatek. She’s already gained 5 Slam titles and 10 WTA 1000 occasions; within the Open Period, solely Serena Williams and Steffi Graf can high her in bowl classes. She’s gained as many Slams as Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis and extra 1000s than Monica Seles and Venus Williams. However she’s additionally simply 23 years previous! She’s just one Slam title behind the place Serena Williams was at 23. She’s gained as many French Opens (4) as Rafael Nadal, the king of clay, had on the similar age. She hasn’t even discovered grass but. Swiatek’s trajectory is not like something we have seen since Serena on the ladies’s facet. — Invoice Connelly
Key accomplishments: 2023-24 Rookie of the Yr, first rookie to be named first-team All-Protection
Earlier than he ever stepped foot on an NBA court docket, LeBron James mentioned Victor Wembanyama was not like something the league had ever seen. “Everyone’s been a unicorn over the previous few years, effectively he is extra like an alien,” James mentioned two days after Wembanyama’s American debut in October 2022. Since then, Wembanyama has someway exceeded the excessive expectations positioned upon him. He grew to become the primary rookie in NBA historical past to make first-team All-Protection and have become the second rookie to steer the league in blocks all whereas averaging 21.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds and three.9 assists a sport. He is put the league on discover. Stated new teammate Chris Paul: “I let you know there’s most likely no participant within the league that everyone within the league talks about after the sport like him.” — Andrew Lopez
Key accomplishments: Youngest male purpose scorer in Euro historical past, youngest participant to make an look in World Cup or Euro semifinal, youngest participant to play within the European Championship, first participant below 18 with 10 objectives in one in every of Europe’s high 5 leagues in a single season within the final 15 years
At 15 years previous in 2022, there have been already rumors about Lamine Yamal, a gem of a participant who would guarantee Barcelona’s future can be protected. Quick-forward two years, and he is already completed greater than some gamers do of their total careers after profitable the 2024 European Championship with Spain, and breaking loads of data on the way in which. No marvel the Spain coach referred to as him a “genius.” Yamal is drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi — each left-footed gamers with the same fashion — and much more so after pictures confirmed an toddler Yamal with a 20-year-old Messi. — SherShah Atif
