10 Mainstream Athletes We'd Love to See Compete on 'American Ninja Warrior'
How much would you pay to see LeBron James compete on American Ninja Warrior? Is he the star athlete most likely to succeed on its crazy obstacle courses?
In truth, the most successful competitors on the NBC hit show aren't necessarily armed with blazing speed or overwhelming size. More often, those who make it most successfully through the stages display traits like laser focus and precise dexterity. Successful competitors like Joe “The Weatherman” Moravsky have a lethal combination of strength, patience, agility and guts.
Oh, and amazing athletic ability helps.
Who are the mainstream athletes like that? Whose appearance on ANW would constitute must-see television?
Odell Beckham Jr.
1 of 10
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been described as "freakish," in a good way. From his incredible one-handed touchdown grab to a monster dunk posted for fun on Instagram, he truly seems like an athlete capable of anything.
The coordination needed to make one of the greatest NFL catches in recent memory indicates Beckham may have a post-football future in ANW.
Lolo Jones
2 of 10
Track star Lolo Jones has never won an Olympic medal, but it's not for lack of trying. The talented athlete has competed in both the Summer and Winter Games as a hurdler and a bobsledder, respectively.
Her versatility would serve her well on ANW, not to mention those ups. Plus, she already has experience with reality TV.
Mike Trout
3 of 10
At 6'2", 235 pounds, Mike Trout doesn't exactly have the nimble build of some successful ANW competitors.
However, as baseball's quintessential five-tool player, he sure does have versatility. As a refresher, this type of player can run, throw, hit for average, hit for power and play defense—he can do it all. Plus Trout is young (23), and he's one of the brightest stars in sports.
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Russell Westbrook
4 of 10
In January 2014, Elizabeth Benson of Dime Magazine named Russell Westbrook the No. 2 most athletic player in the NBA, behind LeBron.
The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard has explosive speed and a boldness that masquerades as recklessness. His "how'd he do that?" playmaking abilities would fit right in on ANW.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
5 of 10
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. was two things in the "Fight of the Century," he was deliberate, and he was methodical. These are two things that have served contestants well on ANW.
Combined with his uber fitness and undeniable ability to draw an audience, these traits could make Money May a solid ANW competitor.
Steve Nash
6 of 10
Yes, he's retired, but remember in February when Steve Nash told a Twitter troll, "I'm the hardest 41 yr old you know"?
Nash is a grizzled veteran whose ball-handling skills would still run circles around a lot of guys. That coordination, combined with his maturity and coolness under pressure, would serve him well on ANW.
Besides, watch this video of Moravsky running a stage in St. Louis, and admit it—he reminds you of Nash.
Gabby Douglas
7 of 10
Former gymnast Kacy Catanzaro did very well on ANW. Her small stature (5'0" and 100 pounds) proved you don't have to be big to efficiently move through those obstacle courses.
That said, who wouldn't love to see America's Olympic gymnastics darling try her luck? Gabby Douglas, now 19, won the all-around gold medal at the 2012 Summer Games, making her the perfect versatile candidate to take on that famous warped wall.
Lionel Messi
8 of 10
Standing at 5'7", Lionel Messi isn't the biggest guy around. If you saw him on the street and didn't know who he was, you'd probably walk right by. Meanwhile, the Argentine legend is one of the greatest soccer players in the world.
Point of fact: Soccer is no joke. It is a grueling sport that demands extreme physical endurance as well as pinpoint and precise skill. Just imagine the focus it would take to do something like this. Come to think of it, soccer is a lot like ANW in those ways.
LeBron James
9 of 10
Let's be honest. We'd love to see LeBron on ANW because, well, he's LeBron.
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward is just an all-around athlete—apparently, he had some serious potential as a wide receiver in high school. Add to that his other-worldly talent on a basketball court and his star power, and he'd attract a lot of viewers.
Shaquille O’Neal
10 of 10
OK—this might not be as serious as the other picks, but how great would Shaquille O'Neal be on one of those obstacle courses? After his epic fall on Inside the NBA, along with his ever-endearing ability to laugh at himself, Shaq might draw more viewers than any other sports figure in the world.
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