16 Sports Stars Who Will Dominate the Next Decade
It's one thing to be young, but, to be talented too? That can be asking too much. In the case of these athletes, though, they're some of the most gifted in the entire world, ready to take over the keys of their sport and dominate for the next decade.
Some have already accomplished a lot—and they're still in their mid-20s—while others are just on the verge of becoming the next, great once-in-a-generation talent.
Whether you're a fan of them or not, appreciate what you're seeing—because they could all go down as some of the best in their sport.
Julian Green
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The inclusion of U.S. men's soccer player Julian Green comes with a grain of salt.
While I do think that Green is as talented as they come, proving that he can play with the world's elite based off of his international and club experience, do I really think he's going to dominate the sport of soccer alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? Probably not.
That doesn't mean the 19-year-old Green isn't a budding star, though, fully stepping into the slot of the next superstar and face of the red, white and blue that recently became vacant following Landon Donovan's retirement.
Green has all of the skills to be great—just ask some of his peers. Whether that's just among U.S. supporters or on a global level is still left to be seen.
Lydia Ko
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Born in 1997, Lydia Ko has burst onto the golf scene in a hurry, becoming the youngest player, male or female, to be ranked No. 1 in the world when she earned the top spot in February of this year.
Still sitting above everyone else, the 17-year-old Ko has a future as bright as any athlete on this list, as she has already won 10 pro tournaments and finished third in last year's Women's PGA Championship.
While she isn't old enough to vote in the United States, Ko is quickly becoming the first lady of women's golf, a title that she shouldn't relinquish anytime soon.
Odell Beckham Jr.
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It might be a bit premature to crown New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as the next great wideout, but after seeing what he did in his rookie campaign in 2014, why shouldn't we all think that he can be just that?
After missing most of training camp and the first four games of his NFL career due to injury, the talented Beckham Jr. sure did leave an impression when he was on the field.
Setting a number of rookie receiving marks and, oh yeah, making one of the most insane grabs you'll ever see, this kid has the tools and drive to become great.
With a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback in Eli Manning tossing him the ball, last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year is in prime position to rack up insane numbers and elevate himself into one of the best in the league.
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Mo'ne Davis
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Wise beyond her 13 years, phenom Mo'ne Davis is someone who every single sports fans should root for.
Proving that she has the talent, Davis also proved that she has a rare ability to handle the criticism that comes with the fame, after a college baseball player lashed out and got suspended for bashing the teenager and Davis wrote a letter to the school asking to reinstate him. Classy.
When she's not acting more mature than those older than her, she's striking people out on the baseball field, shaking celebs on the basketball court or being named the Sports Kid of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
Admitting that her dream is to play for the UConn Huskies women's hoops team one day, Davis is someone to keep an eye on to see how her, already successful, career goes.
Nathan Mackinnon
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It's easy to sit here and wonder if Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has the talent to become the next, great elite player in the NHL, comparing him to established stars Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin.
But why not just let the 19-year-old just pave his own path instead?
Taken No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL draft, MacKinnon has done a pretty good job writing his own story, winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie thanks, in part, to breaking a 34-year-long streak that was once held by some guy named Wayne Gretzky.
An unfortunate foot injury cut his second season short, but, already in the same breath as other greats, there's no denying that MacKinnon is on the right path to superstardom.
Andrew Wiggins
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What else is there to say about Minnesota Timberwolves rising star Andrew Wiggins that hasn't already been said?
Joining the likes of guys like LeBron James and John Wall as one of the most hyped prep player while still in high school, Wiggins has continued to prove why he was so highly touted, putting in a superb rookie campaign.
Although his team struggled, Wiggins never took a night off. He finished the season by totaling 16.9 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and a respectable 43.7 percent from the field, relying on a solid second half of the season when he averaged 20.0 points per game.
With the 19-year-old already ahead of what many believed he would have been following his first go-round in the Association, Wiggins has superstar potential that should continue to dazzle fans for the next 10-plus years.
J.J. Watt
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What's that? Is that the sound of complaining that Houston Texans defensive stud J.J. Watt is on this list because he's proven to be the best defender in the NFL in his four years in the league and he's already dominating his sport?
Well, guess what? Watt is still only 26 years old, meaning that, should he stay healthy, he has at least another eight years in the league—and, who knows, may be can go till he's 39 like Hall of Famer Reggie White did.
With two NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards on his mantel and not yet in his peak, Watt will be sacking your favorite quarterback for a long, long time.
Maya Moore
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The aforementioned Andrew Wiggins isn't the only one who is straight-up balling in the city of Minneapolis, because Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore is already a superstar in her own right.
Selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 WNBA draft, the former UConn Huskies star—where she won two national titles—has picked up right where she left off in Storrs, already earning herself two WNBA titles in her four years.
In addition to her rings, Maya is the reigning league MVP, a three-time All-Star, a former Rookie of the Year and the WNBA Finals MVP in 2013—and she's still just 25 years old, guys.
Neymar
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The Brazilian national team captain, there are few athletes who have been as hyped up as much as Neymar has been—and he continues to dazzle to live up to them.
Starting alongside all-world forward Lionel Messi on FC Barcelona, the 23-year-old has all of the skills to continue to be in the conversation as the best soccer player on the planet. He proved his worth during last summer's World Cup when he netted four goals prior to a back injury, which tied for third most in the tourney.
Dazzling on the pitch thanks to his Brazilian flare and style, Neymar is a player who will continue to garner tons of attention—so get used to seeing his face.
Jordan Spieth
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If you didn't understand why so many golf experts have mentioned Jordan Spieth as the next great golfer on the PGA tour over the past couple of years, the 21-year-old Texan proved why during this year's Masters Tournament.
After tying for second place in 2014 at Augusta National, Spieth made a huge statement in 2015. He became the second-youngest winner at the esteemed club and tied the only man ahead of him on that list, Tiger Woods, by shooting a ridiculous 18 under par to earn his green jacket.
Sitting as the No. 2-ranked player in the world, expect Spieth to continue to challenge other rising stars for years to come—which every sports fan should look forward to.
Connor McDavid
11 of 16In the NHL, when a guy by the name of Wayne Gretzky gives his rousing endorsement of a player, it usually garners plenty of attention.
And with good reason, as The Great One holds more records than anyone in hockey history.
So when Gretzky said that soon-to-be No. 1 overall pick Connor McDavid is the best prospect he has seen in 30 years, it probably means both novice and diehard hockey fans should take notice.
At 18 years old, the anticipation of McDavid's arrival into the NHL has been ongoing for the past couple of years, with the kid hoping to, one day, possibly surpass some of those records that Gretzky currently has.
Mike Trout
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Like a few others athletes on this list, there might actually be some out there who think that Mike Trout shouldn't be included here because of all that he has already accomplished.
But come on now, it's not his fault that he has three top-two finishes in the league MVP vote, including his one win in 2014 even though it was his "worst" season in the big leagues—he still hit .287, belted 36 homers and drove in 111 runs.
The L.A. Angels outfielder might just be the best thing since fans saw Mickey Mantle play everyday for the New York Yankees—and he's still just 23 years old—so who knows just how many records this kid will wind up with when all is said and done, because he has the talent to be an all-timer.
Stephen Curry
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This season's likely NBA Most Valuable Player, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry can light up a gym by making nearly every shot he takes.
In fact, just last week, the baby-faced assassin drilled 77-straight three-pointers in a freaking row during practice.
That's impressive as hell, but so, too, has been Curry's basketball career, where he led an underdog Davidson team to the Elite Eight while he was still in college. He has the Dubs on pace to make a serious run at an NBA title after finishing with the league's best record.
Already considered by some to be the best shooter in NBA history, at 27 years old, Curry will keep lighting it up and making all of our jaws drop.
Andrew Luck
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The '90s saw guys like Dan Marino and Brett Favre in their prime, while the 2000s have given fans Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to marvel at at the quarterback position.
But, the next great one up? That would be the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck, who has proven in his first three NFL seasons why he was the No. 1 pick in 2012 and thought to be the heir apparent to many of Manning's passing records when all is said and done.
Heralded as the best young quarterback in the league in the past 40 years—high-praise from a former executive—Luck has a golden arm and the smarts to become one of the all-timers.
Still just 25 years old, it will be more than just "luck" if the kid ends up with a few Super Bowl titles, league MVPs and a spot in Canton one day.
Rory McIlroy
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The current No. 1-ranked player in the world, Rory McIlroy has fully grabbed the keys from Tiger Woods as the biggest star on the PGA tour.
A four-time major title winner, the 25-year-old McIlroy is primed to make the same type of run that Woods did during his prime, continuously challenging in the biggest tournaments and inspiring kids to play the sport of golf.
With the aforementioned Jordan Spieth just 21 years old and Rory only four years his senior, let's all hope that they form a rivalry that has been lacking in golf for some time now, giving us decade-long showdowns that will live on forever.
Anthony Davis
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With the evolution that the NBA has seen over the past few years, all but eliminating the importance of a true center, teams are looking for a big man who can stretch the floor and do it all.
And if you asked anyone who knows anything about basketball, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis would be the prototype for what any team would want, blending offensive skills of a guard with the defensive prowess of an old-school center.
Landing atop Bill Simmons' NBA Trade Value List—which is the longtime writer's rankings of every player in the league's trade value—the 22-year-old Davis helped guide his Pelicans to the playoffs for the first time in his career, playing like an MVP on the regular season's final night to secure a spot in the postseason.
No matter who you ask, Davis is considered to have superstardom in his very near future—if he hasn't already reached that level—with the guy making opponents fear the brow for the foreseeable future.
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