10 Athletes You Will Know After This Summer
Unlike some other years, 2016 is one that is loaded with big-time sporting events that will feature some of the world's best athletes, giving fans a new crop of players to familiarize themselves with.
And because it can be difficult to keep up with all that's going on, the best thing to do is to give you some of the names that you'll know once the year comes to an end, as these athletes are likely the ones who will provide lasting performances and memories.
From the Summer Olympics to Euro 2016 and other major events, here are the athletes you will know once all is said and done.
Cam F. Awesome
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Having been around for years, 2016 is the time when boxer Cam Awesome can make a legacy for himself with a great showing at this year's Olympics.
Earning his spot on the U.S. Olympic team by winning the 201-pound division at the Olympic Trials, Awesome will make his first appearance at the Games after missing out in 2012 due to a doping suspension.
The self-titled "Taylor Swift of Boxing," Awesome has the personality and talent to make some noise in Rio that could make him a star by summer's end.
Riyad Mahrez
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After Riyad Mahrez earned the PFA Player of the Year Award after helping guide Leicester City to an English Premier League title this season, there's a good chance many fans recognize his name by now.
And while Mahrez has shown what he can do on the club level, the pressure will be on him to help lead his international team, Algeria, to a deep run at this year's Olympic Games—which could cost him some early-season time in the EPL schedule.
As he is set to become one of the most sought-out club players this summer, things are shaping up well for Mahrez in his quest to become mentioned with other great soccer stars on the rise.
Katie Ledecky
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Four years ago during the London Olympics, swimmer Katie Ledecky was just 15 years old and the youngest member of Team USA's swim team. These days, she's arguably the best freestyle swimmer in the world.
And Rio could be her chance to prove it.
She has held and broken multiple records in the pool since the 2012 Games, and this year's Olympics is set up for Ledecky to capture numerous gold medals and leave with a lot more hardware in her second go-round at the Summer Games.
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Steven Matz
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Most baseball fans know the names of New York Mets pitchers Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, but how many could name the newest ace of the pitching staff, Steven Matz?
Ask any opposing batter, and he'll be able to identify the 24-year-old lefty, who, in just 12 career starts, has a record of 9-1 with a 2.56 ERA, which includes a 5-1 and 2.86 ERA start to the 2016 campaign.
Staking his claim as the next Mets star, Matz has the goods to help New York get back to the World Series this season.
Paulo Dybala
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Already a star in Europe thanks to his success with Italian club team Juventus, Argentine international Paulo Dybala could jump into the world spotlight in this year's Copa America if he has a good performance.
Odds are high given the fact that he'll be playing alongside Lionel Messi, but Dybala is a lethal offensive force in his own right, giving him the opportunity to become a household name this summer.
Much like Colombian star James Rodriguez did during the 2014 World Cup, the 22-year-old Dybala has the talent to make Copa America his tournament.
Simone Biles
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The 2012 Summer Olympics were all about Gabby Douglas in multiple gymnastics events—which was deserved considering she walked away with two gold medals from team and individual performances.
But the 2016 Games are shaping up to be the coming-out party for fellow American gymnast Simone Biles, who could be the next superstar for USA gymnastics.
The 19-year-old Biles became the first female gymnast to earn three straight all-around world titles while also taking home 10 titles in her three appearances at the World Championships, so it's easy to see why everyone is expecting greatness from her in Rio this summer.
Victor Hedman
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With his Tampa Bay Lightning making another deep run in this year's NHL playoffs, defenseman Victor Hedman has positioned himself to potentially become a Conn Smythe Award recipient for his postseason play.
While Hedman made his presence felt during last year's playoffs, where the Lightning lost in the Stanley Cup Final, his 2016 play is even better, netting four goals and five assists in 10 playoff games thus far.
At only 25 years old, Hedman is destined to take the next step, and he could find himself among some of the all-time great playoff performers in NHL history to help jump-start that journey.
Trevor Story
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Although Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story's "storybook" start to his career has slowed down a bit, that doesn't mean the rookie has fallen off the face of the earth.
Currently tied for second in the National League with 11 home runs and tied for fourth in RBI, Story is the leader in the proverbial clubhouse for the NL Rookie of the Year Award after a sizzling start, which included tying a rookie record for most homers in the month of April.
While it will be difficult for him to keep this pace going over the remaining five months of the season, Trevor Story is a name to watch as he teams up with fellow Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado in the thin Denver air.
Dragan Bender
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NBA prospects like Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are well-known, but 18-year-old Dragan Bender might just be the best future pro.
Currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League, the 7'1" Bender has the length and athleticism to become a star, which is why many draft experts project him as a top-3 pick in this year's NBA draft.
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other Euro stars like Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol, Bender is the best player who many fans aren't even familiar with—hell, he might be the best prospect in the entire draft, so it's time for people to take notice.
Rickie Fowler
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You might be wondering how a guy like Rickie Fowler could end up No. 1 on the list of athletes who fans will know by summer's end given his name is already so well-known. But this is about what Fowler might be celebrating by the time October rolls around.
That's because, after three career PGA Tour wins, Fowler is ready to take the next step in his quest to become one of golf's best, proving that he has the talent to win a major or two this summer.
Seemingly always in contention at the biggest tournaments—he has a top-5 finish at every major—Fowler could take the golf world by storm in 2016 in the same way that his buddy, Jordan Spieth, did in 2015.
He's confident, playing the best he ever has and working his way towards the top.
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