Top 25 Athletes of the 21st Century According to ESPN

Over 70,000 fans and contributors voted to determine the top athletes of this century, focusing solely on achievements from the year 2000 onward. The list crosses all sports and genders, showcasing a wide range of talent.

Some big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, and Rafael Nadal didn't make the top 10 despite their immense success. Here is a look at the standout athletes ranked from 25th to 1st.

ESPN's Top 100 Athletes (Positions 25-11)

25. Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
24. Albert Pujols - Baseball
23. Kevin Garnett - Basketball
22. Sidney Crosby - Hockey
21. Diana Taurasi - Basketball
20. Aaron Donald - NFL
19. Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1
18. Patrick Mahomes - NFL
17. Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
16. Tim Duncan - Basketball
15. Katie Ledecky - Swimming
14. Stephen Curry - Basketball
13. Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
12. Rafael Nadal - Tennis
11. Novak Djokovic - Tennis

Top 10 Athletes of the 21st Century

Kobe Bryant is remembered as one of basketball’s greatest icons. His entire NBA career was with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016. He earned five NBA championships, made 18 All-Star appearances, and won the MVP award in 2008. His tragic death in 2020 cut short a life that inspired many worldwide.

Games played: 1,346
Free-throw percentage: .837
Rebounds per game: 5.2
Assists per game: 4.7
Points per game: 25.0

Usain Bolt became a global icon by dominating sprinting events in three Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016). He holds world records in the 100m and 200m sprints, securing eight Olympic gold medals and becoming the only sprinter to win both distances in multiple Olympics.

2008 Beijing: Gold in 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
2012 London: Gold in 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
2016 Rio: Gold in 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay

Tiger Woods' golf career spans over three decades, turning professional in 1996. With 13 Major titles including multiple Masters and PGA Championships, Woods reshaped golf’s popularity and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.

The Masters wins: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
PGA Championship wins: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007
US Open wins: 2000, 2002, 2008
The Open wins: 2000, 2005, 2006

At 29, Simone Biles is the youngest athlete in the top 10. Since winning her first national title at 16, she made history with four gold medals at Rio 2016 and added more medals across Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. She's considered among gymnastics’ all-time greats.

2016 Rio: Gold in team, all-around, vault, floor exercise; Bronze on balance beam
2020 Tokyo: Silver in team; Bronze on balance beam
2024 Paris: Gold in team, all-around, vault; Silver on floor exercise

Roger Federer stands out as the only male tennis player in the top 10. He turned pro in 1998 and holds a remarkable 82% win rate over 1,500 matches. A 20-time Grand Slam winner, including eight Wimbledon titles, he was known for his sportsmanship and dominance before retiring in 2022.

Australian Open wins: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018
French Open win: 2009
Wimbledon wins: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017
US Open wins: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Tom Brady is the most decorated player in Super Bowl history with seven championships and five MVP awards. He spent 20 years with the New England Patriots, followed by two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Beyond championships, he won three NFL MVPs and made 15 Pro Bowls.

Games played: 335
Record: 251-82
Passes completed: 7,753
Passes attempted: 12,050
Passing touchdowns: 649

Still active at 41, LeBron James leads basketball players on the list. His NBA journey includes stints with Cleveland, Miami, Los Angeles, and now Philadelphia. He boasts four NBA titles, 22 All-Star selections, and holds the record as the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Games played: 1,622
Free-throw percentage: 73.7%
Rebounds per game: 7.5
Assists per game: 7.4
Points per game: 26.8

Lionel Messi is the highest-ranked footballer here. Most of his club success came with FC Barcelona, where he won ten La Liga titles. Internationally, he led Argentina to two Copa Americas, an Olympic gold, and a World Cup. He earned eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most ever.

Argentina caps: 207
Argentina goals: 125
Honors: World Cup (1), Copa America (2), Olympic Gold (1)

Serena Williams ranks second overall and tops the women’s list. Her career includes 23 Grand Slam titles—the second-most in tennis history—and a total of 73 career titles. Her influence extends beyond tennis into wider cultural significance.

Australian Open wins: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017
French Open wins: 2002, 2013, 2015
Wimbledon wins: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
US Open wins: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

Michael Phelps tops the list as the most decorated Olympian ever. His 28 Olympic medals include 23 golds. In Beijing 2008 alone, he won eight gold medals and set records in seven events, defining swimming for this era.