We’ve spent the final week counting down our listing of the high 100 athletes of the twenty first century, however what in regards to the subsequent technology?
If we have been 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 an inventory of 25 — together with some that you just most likely already know fairly properly equivalent to Caitlin Clark, Justin Jefferson and Scottie Scheffler. There are a pair — Noah Lyles and Hezly Rivera — you’ll be taught extra about in the course of the Olympic Video games in Paris.
And, we could also be introducing a number of people — like Kimi Antonelli, the inheritor obvious to guide the F1 Mercedes group.
As their respective stars rise, let’s dive into the following group of perspective icons throughout the sports activities panorama.
Key accomplishments: 4 main titles, 4-0 in Grand Slam finals, one in all 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 Could, 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 a minimum of one match at every Slam in 2021, his age 18 season, however he has proceeded to boost the bar numerous occasions. He is acquired Djokovic’s pace, Nadal’s physicality and, often, Federer’s artistry. He radiates pleasure, smiling after factors gained and misplaced and infrequently 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 System Regional Center East and European champion, 2022 ADAC System 4 champion, 2022 Italian F4 champion.
Think about being the driving force trusted to exchange Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton — now think about you have not even turned 18 but. That is the state of affairs going through Italian wonderkid and System 2 racer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes junior and motor racing’s present ‘”subsequent large 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 could be generational. Italy has not had a world champion since 1953 — if he lives as much as the hype, Antonelli could be the driving force to finish that agonizing wait. — Nate Saunders
Key accomplishments: 2024 Calder award winner as finest rookie, youngest participant in Blackhawks historical past with 60-point season, No. 1 decide in 2023 NHL draft; youngest participant in Western Hockey League historical past to attain 50 targets in a season, 2023 IIHF Male Participant of the Yr.
Not that the NHL is missing on the subject of younger superstars, however there’s a perception Bedard could possibly 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, successful the Calder Trophy, ending with 22 targets and 61 factors over 69 video games, enjoying 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 could possibly 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 High scorer.
To offer an thought 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 recreation in, recreation out. Her gorgeous objective in opposition to Germany will reside in followers’ recollections, and he or she led Colombia to the quarterfinals, its finest end at a World Cup. Now at Actual Madrid, the 19-year-old is destined for excellent 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 event; 2024 and 2023 AP Faculty Participant of the Yr; 2024 WNBA All-Star; recorded first rookie triple-double in WNBA historical past; set WNBA single-game assists report.
A two-time nationwide participant of the 12 months in faculty, Clark turned the NCAA Division I all-time main scorer for women and men throughout her senior season at Iowa. Chosen No. 1 general within the 2024 WNBA draft, the Indiana Fever rookie has helped catalyze this second of exponential development for ladies’s basketball that includes report TV rankings, sellout crowds and elevated funding. Although her deep 3-point capturing was an indicator of her recreation in faculty, Clark’s facilitating has shined most up to now 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 he or she could lead on the WNBA in assists by season’s finish. — Alexa Philippou
Key accomplishments: Undefeated skilled (12-0) and novice (4-0) information, 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 Newbie World Championships.
There’s nonetheless a whole lot of work to be carried out by Ditcheva (12-0) in opposition to increased ranges of competitors — but when she continues the trail she’s been on, the PFL could have a difference-maker on this 26-year-old out of Liverpool. Ditcheva has already proven a capability to carry out below the best of expectations. She handles the highlight superbly. She strikes and throws punches in a approach that jumps off the display screen. It’s uncommon to see a flyweight girl constantly end all of her opponents so viciously. There’s one other gear to her offense that has overwhelmed opponents up to now. She faces Jena Bishop in August within the semifinals of PFL’s playoffs. If she wins, she’s going to face a longtime identify within the finals: Liz Carmouche or Taila Santos. The subsequent chapter is coming in a short time for Ditcheva. It will not be simple, however she has the right mixture of charisma, confidence and ending potential to turn out to be a respectable 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 possibly can’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 some of the prolific statistical seasons in NBA historical past, averaging 33.9 factors (a league-high), 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per recreation, a mixture by no means earlier than achieved. Solely Michael Jordan has a better profession playoff scoring common than Doncic’s 30.9. — Tim MacMahon
Key accomplishments: Fourth-youngest objective scorer for Brazil’s Senior group 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 nearly 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. Sensible 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 turn out to be a family identify over the following decade. — SherShah Atif
Gabriela Fundora, boxing
Key accomplishments: 13-0 skilled report, IBF world flyweight champion, 2-0 in world title fights, No. 2 girls’s flyweight boxer based on ESPN rankings.
Fundora, generally known as “Candy Poison,” is just 22 however has already gained the IBF flyweight title and has made one profitable protection. Fundora, from Coachella, California, is an thrilling fighter to observe, 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 courses, and turn out to be the most important girls’s boxing star within the smaller weight courses. — Nick Parkinson
Naoya Inoue, boxing
Key accomplishments: 27-0 skilled report, 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, the most effective boxers in historical past below 126 kilos. He is additionally a megastar in Japan: Inoue’s sixth-round TKO victory over Luis Nery in Could 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 knowledgeable in 1990. Every time Inoue strikes up in weight, he appears to pack a bit 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 Combat 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, along with his sights set on 126 kilos. — Mike Coppinger
Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP, two-time first-team All-Professional decide, three-time Professional Bowl decide, 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 the very best dual-threat quarterback in NFL historical past and one of many league’s high playmakers. He turned the youngest two-time NFL Most Worthwhile Participant because the merger, successful the award once more final season on the age of 27. Beating defenses along with his arm in addition to his legs, Jackson has produced a 58-19 report (.753), which is the very best mark by a quarterback with a minimum of 50 begins since 2018. “Lamar Jackson is an exceptional 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. For my part, there’s no person higher on this league, particularly no person higher for the Baltimore Ravens, and for this group, and for this metropolis. I am excited in regards to the future.” — Jamison Hensley
Key accomplishments: Three-time Professional Bowl decide, one-time first-team All-Professional, 2022 AP Offensive Participant of the Yr, his 5,899 profession receiving yards are essentially the most by a participant’s first 4 seasons in NFL historical past, one in all 4 gamers in NFL historical past to report 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 the very best begin to a profession for a large receiver in NFL historical past. His common of 6.5 catches per recreation is the second highest of any receiver in his first 4 seasons, and his common of 98.3 yards per recreation is the best in NFL historical past — for any profession span. He has carried out so with a well-honed talent set for getting open in opposition to a wide range of coverages and the form of ball expertise which have led to a sequence 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 clean 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 all the time 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 following 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 girls’s Nations League winner with Spain Senior group, 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 understood for her decision-making and consciousness. “She’s very clever and is aware of interpret the sport very properly,” 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 information for membership and nation, the versatile attacker was making waves on a world stage, successful the U17 World Cup with Spain in addition to the Golden Ball award. Her potential is sky-high, and amid a Barca group 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 the very best days are nonetheless forward for the 26-year-old. On the Paris Olympics in just some 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 newest world championships. “As folks 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’re going to 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 300 profession video games in NHL historical past behind Bobby Orr
Makar continues to be in comparison with Orr, the particular person usually thought of the best defenseman in NHL historical past. Orr was a Norris Trophy finalist in his first 4 seasons, successful 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 a degree shy of tying Orr because the quickest defenseman to 300 profession factors and is averaging greater than a degree per recreation in his five-year profession (336 factors in 315 video games). He has a Stanley Cup title and a Conn Smythe with the prospect so as to add extra because the Colorado Avalanche stay in a championship window. — Ryan Clark
Key accomplishments: UFC bantamweight champion, 18-1 report, six wins by knockout, 2-0 in UFC title fights, third-best important strike differential in UFC historical past (+4.24)
In just some years, Sean O’Malley has gone from a lanky energy puncher on “Dana White’s Contender Sequence,” to the immensely standard UFC bantamweight champion recognized for his trademark colourful coiffure. O’Malley possesses gorgeous energy packed in a wiry body and an “it” issue that few have in fight sports activities. He has turn out to be a human spotlight reel of finishes courtesy of his distinctive hanging potential and distinctive charisma. He already has gained essentially the most postfight bonuses in UFC bantamweight historical past (9) and obtained 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 turn out to be the UFC’s subsequent large factor over the following few years. — Andreas Hale
Key accomplishments: 2023-24 SEC Participant of the Yr, 2024 WNBA All-Star, holds WNBA single-season report with 15 straight double-doubles, seeking to turn out to be first rookie to guide in rebounds per recreation 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 Last 4 Most Excellent Participant. The Baltimore native, who prides herself on unapologetic authenticity, set the NCAA single-season report for double-doubles (34) in the course of the 2022-23 marketing campaign. After being chosen No. 7 general by the Chicago Sky, the rookie proved her recreation, power and can would translate to the following stage: Reese notched 15 consecutive double-doubles to interrupt the WNBA report, 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 (group and flooring train), 2023 Winter Cup all-around, stability beam and flooring gold medalist, 2022 U.S. gold medalist in stability beam
Whereas Rivera would not have the credentials of a few of 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 exceptional leap from junior nationwide champion to Olympic group in a single 12 months. The cool below strain she displayed at Olympic trials captured everybody’s consideration, and she’s going to probably come out of this 12 months’s Video games with a minimum of a group medal (most likely gold). Whereas veteran teammates equivalent to Simone Biles and Suni Lee may forestall her from incomes particular person medals this time, all bets are off for the world and Olympic competitions down the street. — 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 successful 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 the very best by any participant not named Tiger. This 12 months, Scheffler turned 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 top of his Corridor of Fame profession, and so has his creativity and gentle arms across the greens. — Mark Schlabach
Key accomplishments: First participant in June novice draft historical past (since 1965) to be drafted and make the All-Star group the next 12 months; fifth rookie to start out 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 finest 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 large leagues have been as electrical as any we have ever seen from a rookie pitcher. He made the All-Star group — the primary participant to try this the 12 months after he was drafted. Earlier than his second begin, Skenes was requested in regards to the changes hitters will make. “Go forward and alter,” he mentioned. “Good luck.” Thus far, they have not. It is not a stretch to say he is already the very best starter within the majors. — David Schoenfield
Key accomplishments: 4-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, 2019 World Sequence champion. One in all six gamers in MLB historical past with a number of seasons of 30 house 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 may outline his profession: the most effective 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 more durable than ever. Since 1950, solely Ted Williams and Barry Bonds have a better 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 all three gamers (males or girls) 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 achieve the third spherical or higher at each main event performed because the begin of 2020.
The factor about rating gamers based mostly on a selected time frame is that it is onerous 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 in contrast to something we have seen since Serena on the ladies’s aspect. — 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 courtroom, LeBron James mentioned Victor Wembanyama was in contrast to something the league had ever seen. “Everyone’s been a unicorn over the previous couple of years, properly he is extra like an alien,” James mentioned two days after Wembanyama’s American debut in October 2022. Since then, Wembanyama has by some means exceeded the excessive expectations positioned upon him. He turned the primary rookie in NBA historical past to make first-team All-Protection and have become the second rookie to guide the league in blocks all whereas averaging 21.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds and three.9 assists a recreation. He is put the league on discover. Mentioned new teammate Chris Paul: “I inform you 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 objective 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 targets in one in all 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 secure. Quick-forward two years, and he is already achieved greater than some gamers do of their total careers after successful the 2024 European Championship with Spain, and breaking loads of information on the best way. No surprise the Spain coach referred to as him a “genius.” Yamal is drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi — each left-footed gamers with an identical type — and much more so after images confirmed an toddler Yamal with a 20-year-old Messi. — SherShah Atif
