Predicting 10 New Sports Stars for 2016
Jordan Spieth broke out in 2015—who will follow in his footsteps in 2016?
Actually, the odds of anyone having a monumental breakout like Spieth's are slim, but 2016 will still undoubtedly introduce sports fans to a few new stars.
The following are college athletes, prospects, Olympic hopefuls and even veterans poised for a breakout year. If you haven't heard of these 10 names yet, odds are, you will.
(Except Ben Simmons. Everyone has heard of Ben Simmons.)
Candace Hill
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Candace Hill is an American high school sprinter. Her personal best of 10.98 seconds in the 100-meter dash is not only a U.S. high school girls record but also good enough to qualify for the Olympics in Rio.
At age 16, the high school star turned pro in December. To provide context for such a move, Melissa Golden of the New York Times wrote, "Allyson Felix turned professional instead of running for the University of Southern California in 2003, going on to become one of the most successful American sprinters in history."
Hill will have her chance to officially qualify for Rio at the Olympic trials in July.
Lucas Giolito
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Coming off a disappointing season, the Washington Nationals have a new coach and the National League MVP in tow. There will be no shortage of intrigue in 2016, and that includes the minor leagues.
Right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito is one of the game's top prospects at his position, and 2016 could be the year for him to make his major league debut.
The 21-year-old was drafted No. 16 overall by the Nats in 2012. He started the Futures Game in July, and he has already had and recovered from Tommy John surgery.
The Nats have a pretty stacked rotation, but of his eventual call-up, Dayn Perry of CBS Sports wrote, "If Giolito and his three-pitch mix continue cutting a swath through the minors, though, then that day may come sooner than you'd think."
Brandon Ingram
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LSU's Ben Simmons is easily the most hyped college basketball player in 2015-16, but Brandon Ingram from Duke is rising in the ranks. Chris Mannix of SI.com wrote, "Ingram is a fascinating shooting prospect with great length and (hopefully) the ability to fill out a slender frame."
After a disappointing start that saw him benched by coach Mike Krzyzewski, the freshman guard is surging, averaging 22.8 points and 8.8 rebounds over a five-game stretch in December, per David Aldridge of DukeReport.com. Ingram tied a season high with 26 points in a Dec. 28 win over Elon.
The jury's still out on Ingram, but don't be surprised if he ends up giving Simmons a run for his money at the No. 1 draft spot.
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Yohan Blake
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What better way to become an instant international sports star than by beating Jamaican legend Usain Bolt at the Olympics? In 2016, Bolt's own teammate and training partner might have a shot.
Of course, that's what people said in 2012 about Yohan Blake. The sprinter took silver in the 100- and 200-meter events in London but subsequently struggled with injury.
In May, Dania Bogle of the Gleaner reported a recovered Blake said, "I think this setback is for a greater comeback, and I think that is going to be good for me and also rewrite history again."
Blake is the joint second-fastest man in the world and only runner besides Bolt to break 19.30 in the 200-meter event. If Blake is ever going to overtake Bolt on the big stage, Rio will be the time.
Daniel Rioli
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Daniel Rioli is one of the top young prospects in Australian football. The nephew of Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli, young Daniel has football in his blood, and he shows great promise, according to Russell Jackson of the Guardian.
Richmond took Rioli with the No. 15 pick in the 2015 AFL draft. Per Jackson, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said, "He can see things that a lot of other players can't, and that's what makes him special, in a way. He just does some things that you look at and go 'wow'—you can't teach."
Byron Buxton
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Looking for the next Kris Bryant? The Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton made his major league debut in July, but he could be poised for a true breakout season in 2016.
In 2013, the center fielder hit .334/.424/.520 with Twins affiliates. He then faced some injury issues, but in 2015, Buxton went on to bat .305/.367/.500 in the minors before his debut.
Buxton's 46 games in the majors weren't quite as impressive (.209/.250/.326), though call-ups often involve growing pains. There are those who believe he could have a breakout year in 2016, particularly since center fielder Aaron Hicks was traded to the New York Yankees.
Jesse Lund of SB Nation wrote, "On the field he's one of the fastest players in the game, going first to third in the blink of an eye and covering center field and both its gaps like it's a hobby and he has all the time in the world."
Danny Lee
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After Jordan Spieth's incredible 2015 season, golf fans are wondering, who will be the new Spieth?
To be blunt, there isn't going to be a 2016 iteration of Spieth, but former amateur champion Danny Lee could have a breakout season.
The PGA Tour listed him as No. 18 on its list of 30 players to watch in 2016. Per the tour website, "Danny Lee is coming off the best year of his career. Not only did he win his first PGA Tour event at the Greenbrier Classic, Lee also played in his first Presidents Cup."
Lee's reputation for goofy antics and big personality also bodes well for a potential star in the making.
Paxton Lynch
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Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch is certainly known to college football fans, but his stardom is set to skyrocket in 2016 as the possible first QB taken in the NFL draft.
Though the junior hasn't yet declared, Todd McShay of ESPN listed him at No. 2 on his mock draft in mid-December behind only Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.
Prior to Memphis' bowl game, Lynch threw for 3,670 yards and 28 touchdowns on the season and clocked a 166.2 passer rating.
Memphis coach Justin Fuente, who previously coached Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton at TCU, said, per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, "[Paxton hasn't] topped out. When I had Andy Dalton as a junior, he was as big and strong and as good a player as he was going to be. Paxton's still a kid as a junior. He's got plenty left."
Auston Matthews
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Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid got all the hype leading up to the 2015 NHL draft. Who is taking his place in 2016?
Enter, Auston Matthews. The American hockey center is widely considered to be the top prospect in June's draft. In fact, Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News called him "the world's best prospect."
According to Josh Cooper of Puck Daddy, one European amateur scout compared him to Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. He said, "He's the perfect player...size, tools, skills, sense, finishing ability, driven personality. It's tough to find any faults. He wants to be like Toews. Tells a lot and it's quite accurate."
Matthews is currently playing in the Swiss League, but expect to hear even more NHL hype as the draft approaches.
Ben Simmons
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The name "Ben Simmons" isn't new to college basketball fans. The LSU freshman forward got more hype than any other college player to start the 2015-16 season, and it wasn't close.
LeBron James called him "an unbelievable talent," per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. HBO sports personality Bill Simmons (no relation) said, per Boti Nagy of the Herald Sun, "He's the best freshman bet to be a one-of-a-kind NBA superstar since Kevin Durant nine years ago."
Though his team hasn't been particularly spectacular (7-5 through Dec. 30), Simmons is living up to the hype. The Australian is averaging 19.3 points and 13 rebounds per game and can do stuff like this.
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