Top 10 Sports Cities with the Best Young Talent
As a sports fan, we often get caught up with the here and now, living in the moment and hoping for just one chance of celebrating a championship before we die.
And while getting the chance to do that once is awesome, some cities are lucky enough to have multiple teams that have proven to be competitive for titles, using some luck and lots of skill to compile a roster of emerging, young stars.
Whether these cities are already experiencing success, or they have a bright future with the next batch of superstars, here are the top-10 sports cities for young talent.
Editor's Note: Superstars are hard to come by before the age of 25, except for prodigies, so I examined these cities based off of players who are 28 years old and younger to determine their ranking.
Charlotte
1 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Cam Newton (27), Luke Kuechly (25), Jordan Staal (27), Kemba Walker (26)
The city of Charlotte had a lot to cheer about this past season, as the Carolina Panthers not only saw their quarterback, Cam Newton, named league MVP, but he carried them to a 15-1 regular season record and a spot in the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, SuperCam couldn't finish the job, as the Panthers lost. Still, the team has young stars alongside Newton in linebacker Luke Kuechly and wideout Kelvin Benjamin that makes up a solid core for the future.
As for Charlotte's other pro teams, the Hurricanes are in the midst of a tough rebuild and will need to make key decisions this offseason about what direction they want to go in, but the NBA's Hornets are poised to rise in the Eastern Conference standings.
Did you know that the Hornets were dubbed the "Golden State of the East" by Dwyane Wade thanks to a monstrous second half of the season that saw them put up scary offensive stats and go 21-8 from the All-Star break till the end of the regular season?
Overall, Charlotte sports fans should be excited.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Panthers
Washington D.C.
2 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Bryce Harper (23), John Wall (25), Stephen Strasburg (27), Bradley Beal (22), Kirk Cousins (27), Jordan Reed (25), Nicklas Backstrom (28), Evgeny Kuznetsov (24)
Washington D.C. has had a great history in sports with various championships from teams like the Redskins and the Wizards franchise, but the future looks even brighter for those who hail in the nation's capital.
Following a resurgence from the Skins thanks to breakout star Kirk Cousins leading them to the playoffs in his first season as a starter, fans of the team can be optimistic about what the future might hold, as they build around the (apparent) signal-caller of the present and future.
The Capitals, although annually letting down their fans in the playoffs, will be right there in the mix as long as they keep the trio of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov together—a group that helped lead the Caps to the Presidents' Trophy this season.
For the city's NBA team, the Wizards, John Wall and Bradley Beal, when healthy, are about as good of a backcourt as any in the NBA—especially in the Eastern Conference—meaning they could rise up the standings again next year under new head coach Scott Brooks. Oh, and if the franchise somehow lands free agent Kevin Durant, wow!
But the most promising reason for D.C. fans to be excited is reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, who has the Nats sitting first in the NL East right now and makes them a legitimate World Series threat.
Harper may be eligible for free agency after the 2018 season—and there are plenty of rumors about where he may end up—but he's the biggest star in the sport, so Washington D.C. should enjoy him no matter what happens in the future.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Nationals
Seattle
3 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Russell Wilson (27), Earl Thomas (27), Richard Sherman (28), Bobby Wagner (25), Kam Chancellor (28), Kyle Seager (28), Doug Baldwin (27), Tyler Lockett (23)
Seattle sports fans are some of the most passionate and knowledgeable in sports, but, sadly, they've had the NBA ripped away from them once before—and then got denied another team a few years ago—and saw Las Vegas get the bid from the NHL for a new franchise.
That doesn't mean the future isn't bright in the Emerald City, though—and it all lays on the right arm of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Since entering the league in 2012, Wilson has led the Hawks to the postseason in each season, including a championship in two Super Bowl appearances.
In addition to the quarterback, the defensive backfield—aptly known as the Legion of Boom—is one of the scariest in NFL history, and, according to one of its members, Richard Sherman, the group could be getting even better in the coming years.
While the Mariners have shown life this season by getting off to a solid start, until the team proves it can maintain solid play for an entire season, fans will be skeptical.
The M's don't have great young talent other than All-Star Kyle Seager, so the time to win is now while players like Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano are still great.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Seahawks
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Twin Cities
4 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Karl-Anthony Towns (20), Andrew Wiggins (21), Ricky Rubio (25), Zach LaVine (21), Byron Buxton (22), Teddy Bridgewater (23), Matt Kalil (26), Harrison Smith (27), Grayson Downing (24), Alex Tuch (20)
Minnesota's Twin Cities have the potential to be one of the best sports towns in the country should the teams live up to all the hype surrounding them.
Let's start with the most championship-ready team, the Vikings, who unexpectedly reached the playoffs in 2015 by riding the legs of a determined Adrian Peterson and a defense that was one of the better units in the league.
With quarterback Teddy Bridgewater developing into a solid starter and a young, talented roster, the Vikes have a solid window (Adrian Peterson) that could see them make some noise in the NFC.
The pride and joy of the city, though, are the Timberwolves, who have back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, to build around.
Both players are 21 years of age or younger and have key pieces like Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio beside them to really form something special, if they mesh under new head coach Tom Thibodeau. And with the speculation of acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls—even if it means giving up Wiggins—the T-Wolves have serious potential in the next few years.
How about the Twins? Well, while they've struggled mightily this season, the team has young talent like Byron Buxton set to become the face of the franchise. Admittedly, though, the Twinkies are the furthest Minny team from seriously competing—although MLB is full of parity, so who knows how things might shake up.
The NHL's Wild have been solid the past few seasons—reaching the playoffs in each of the past four years—but the core that got them there is on the older side. Knowing that, it'll be up to young prospects like Grayson Downing and Alex Tuch to develop quickly to keep that run going.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Vikings
Tampa Bay
5 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Jameis Winston (22), Steven Stamkos (26), Gerald McCoy (28), Mike Evans (22), Lavonte David (26), Doug Martin (27), Nikita Kucherov (22), Victor Hedman (25)
While Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David may have been off his rocker when he proclaimed his team's defense could become the best in NFL history this offseason, that doesn't mean anyone should discount what the team could accomplish in the near future.
With a superstar in the waiting at quarterback in last year's No. 1 top pick, Jameis Winston, Tampa's football team is on the right path toward competing in a wide open NFC.
Although the Bucs have potential to be a very good team, it's the Lightning who are the cream of the crop in this town, as they've established themselves as one of the NHL's best.
Reaching back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals and a trip to last year's Stanley Cup Final, players like Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov are bona fide superstars who have a supporting cast that is a few unlucky breaks from already winning a title. They'll need to re-sign Stamkos, though, to maintain their position here.
As for the Rays, well, after shocking MLB in the past under former manager Joe Maddon, the team hasn't been as great in the past few seasons, not seeing the same production from young stars.
That doesn't mean they can't compete in the near future, but far too many players on the current roster are just above their prime years, making it difficult to evaluate moving forward, as they go through a rebuild to get back some respectability.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Lightning (assuming they re-sign Steven Stamkos)
Houston
6 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: J.J. Watt (27), James Harden (26), Carlos Correa (21), Dallas Keuchel (28), Jose Altuve (26), DeAndre Hopkins (24), Jadeveon Clowney (23)
When you look at the young stars in the city of Houston, it's actually mind-boggling at the amount of established superstars in their respective sports.
The one that stands out the most is the terrifyingly good J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, who has won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in his short career, while helping develop his defense into one of the NFL's finest.
If former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney can remain healthy and become the player many believe he can be, Houston's football team could make some noise—especially if newly signed quarterback Brock Osweiler develops chemistry with talented wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
Another young star is reigning AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa, who helped carry the Astros to an unexpected playoff appearance in 2015. Alongside young, All-Star teammates like AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and Jose Altuve, this trio has the 'stros bound for good things in the near future. Last year's surprise run already shows that they're ahead of expectations.
Lastly, the Houston Rockets have offensive monster James Harden to build around, as they hope "The Beard" can help attract free agents and become serious title contenders again.
It will be a tough task, as the team has aging stars and key offseason questions—leading with what to do with Dwight Howard—but the Rockets showed last season that Harden is good enough to take over at any moment; he just needs some above average help along the way.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Texans
Pittsburgh
7 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Sidney Crosby (28), Antonio Brown (27), Le'Veon Bell (24), Gerrit Cole (25), Ryan Shazier (23), Maurkice Pouncey (26), Phil Kessel (28), Matt Murray (22), Gregory Polanco (24)
Guys, the Pittsburgh Penguins just won they're second Stanley Cup title in the past eight years, led by all-world Sidney Crosby—who just supplanted himself as an all-time great by the age of 28.
More than just Sid the Kid, though, the Pens have stars like Phil Kessel and goalie Matt Murray to continue to build around in their prime years. That's a good sign for Pittsburgh hockey fans.
In addition to their city's hockey team, Pittsburgh sports fans have the Pirates and Steelers to root for, with each showing they have the mettle to compete for championships.
The Steelers, who routinely find themselves in the playoff hunt, may have an aging quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, but weapons like Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell make the team one of the best in the league.
Add in young defensive leaders like Ryan Shazier, and the Steelers have a championship window for the foreseeable future.
As for the Pirates, after making the postseason three-straight seasons under superstar Andrew McCutchen—who's still just 29 in his own right—the Bucs continue to search for more consistency once they reach October, having failed to get beyond a Wild Card spot in either appearance.
They have talent and a young ace in Gerrit Cole, so the Pirates just need some luck to reach that next level.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Penguins (Although no team has repeated as Stanley Cup champ since the 1997 and 1998 Detroit Red Wings)
Los Angeles
8 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Mike Trout (24), Clayton Kershaw (28), Blake Griffin (27), DeAndre Jordan (27), Anze Kopitar (28), Drew Doughty (26), Todd Gurley (21), Aaron Donald (25), Robert Quinn (26), Corey Seager (22), Joc Pederson (24), Trayce Thompson (25), Yasiel Puig (25), Milan Lucic (28), Julius Randle (21), D'Angelo Russell (20), Alec Martinez (28), Julio Urias (19)
OK, to be fair, the laundry list of names included at the top of this slide is a little padded because Los Angeles has two franchises in both the NBA and MLB. Still, that's a ton of talent in one city.
Rather than break down the team, let's just look at the superstars themselves, starting with Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw, who are, without a doubt, two of the most dominating forces in the game of baseball right now.
The Angels' Trout doesn't have the help that Kershaw does with the Dodgers—with the likes of young hitters like Joc Pederson, Trayce Thompson and Corey Seager—but he gives the Halos hope to build around him now that he's locked up for the long-term.
The NHL's Kings have won two Stanley Cup titles in five seasons behind a core that is one of the deepest in the league, so NHL fans in the City of Angels have to be hopeful the team finds its championship pedigree next season.
The NFL returns to Los Angeles for the first time since 1994 with its youngest team in the entire league, the Rams. The Rams will have its growing pains, but depending on what happens with No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, potentially, positive things could come in the next few years.
Lastly, with NBA stars like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan still on the Clippers and a young core on the Lakers, as the team turns the page on the Kobe Bryant era, basketball fans should stay optimistic about what could happen on the hardwood.
This is L.A., guys, so don't expect any of these teams—who have resources to spend for a quick turnaround—to stay stagnant for too long.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Kings
Chicago
9 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Patrick Kane (27), Jonathan Toews (28), Chris Sale (27), Jimmy Butler (26), Derrick Rose (27), Kris Bryant (24), Alshon Jeffery (26), Anthony Rizzo (26), Artemi Panarin (24), Jason Heyward (26)
Much like the aforementioned city of Los Angeles, Chicago has a couple instances of two teams in one league, meaning their list of young superstars is longer than normal, too.
Still, the names on the list carry so much weight that it's impossible to think Chicago doesn't have another title in the near future.
While the Blackhawks fell short this season in their quest to repeat, with the trio of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Artemi Panarin, the team should always be considered a favorite to add to its three Stanley Cup titles since 2010.
The funny thing about Chicago right now, though? The Cubs might be the best bet to win the city's next championship. (Gulp, I said it.)
Off to a blazing start after reaching the postseason in 2015, the Cubbies seem to be everyone's World Series favorites thanks to an absolute ace in Jake Arrieta and young sluggers Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.
Chicago's other teams, the Bulls, Bears and White Sox, are the ones who have, traditionally, experienced the most success, but each team has aging rosters and serious question marks, making it difficult to consider any a serious championship contender.
The Bulls probably have the best shot of those teams mentioned—assuming Jimmy Butler isn't traded and the still young Derrick Rose somehow finds a magic-healer—but even that seems far-fetched.
Still, Chicago has at least two teams who are title ready right now.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Cubs
Bay Area
10 of 10
Stars 28 Years Old Or Younger: Stephen Curry (28), Madison Mugarner (26), Khalil Mack (25), NaVorro Bowman (28), Klay Thompson (26), Draymond Green (26), Logan Couture (27), Amari Cooper (21), Derek Carr (25), Tomas Hertl (22), Harrison Barnes (24), Sonny Gray (26), Martin Jones (26), Colin Kaepernick (28)
I know, I know, claiming the entire Bay Area is a little bit unfair to these other cities, but, sheesh, look at that talent and tell me you wouldn't cheer for these teams if you lived within an hour drive of them.
The undisputed champion of the region are the Golden State Warriors, who are just one win away from their second-straight NBA title and have 28-or-under stars like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to continue their stranglehold on the league.
Then you look at the San Francisco Giants, who have won three World Series titles since 2010 and are off to a great start this season behind the pitching of Madison Bumgarner—who has been a postseason monster and is still just 26 years old.
NFL teams like the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers aren't quite Super Bowl ready at this moment, but both have some young talent—particularly the Raiders in Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper—who could change the losing culture in the Black Hole.
All of this goes without even talking about the San Jose Sharks, who just reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history and have a good mix of proven veterans to go with young stars like Tomas Hertl—although, admittedly, it seems unlikely the team's championship window remains open.
And while the Oakland A's aren't having the success they've had with the low-budget rosters of the past, as long as Billy Beane is there as the conductor of that train, one never knows when they will come to life and compete for a playoff spot.
Overall, Bay Area sports fans are the happiest in the country right now, primed to celebrate a title again soon—albeit Warriors or otherwise.
Best Chance Of A Championship: Warriors
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