Some athletes don't become famous. They were born famous. LeBron James appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school sophomore in February 2002, headlined 'The Chosen One.' Tiger Woods putted against Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show in 1978 at age two. Serena Williams was ranked first in her age group at ten, training on public courts in Compton with her father.
Kobe Bryant played professionally in Italian youth leagues at 13. FC Barcelona signed Lionel Messi at 13 on a paper napkin and agreed to pay for his growth hormone treatments. Shohei Ohtani was throwing 100 mph fastballs as a high school junior. Bronny James was estimated to have a $7.5 million NIL valuation by his senior year. Mikey Williams signed a $14 million shoe contract with Puma at age 14, the first high schooler ever to do so.
Some careers begin before puberty.
Sources: Sports Illustrated archive, MLB Network, Sports Reference, On3 NIL valuations, Reuters Italian football archive.
Some athletes don't become famous. They were born famous. LeBron James appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school sophomore in February 2002, headlined 'The Chosen One.' Tiger Woods putted against Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show in 1978 at age two. Serena Williams was ranked first in her age group at ten, training on public courts in Compton with her father.
Kobe Bryant played professionally in Italian youth leagues at 13. FC Barcelona signed Lionel Messi at 13 on a paper napkin and agreed to pay for his growth hormone treatments. Shohei Ohtani was throwing 100 mph fastballs as a high school junior. Bronny James was estimated to have a $7.5 million NIL valuation by his senior year. Mikey Williams signed a $14 million shoe contract with Puma at age 14, the first high schooler ever to do so.
Some careers begin before puberty.
Sources: Sports Illustrated archive, MLB Network, Sports Reference, On3 NIL valuations, Reuters Italian football archive.
