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A part of sports activities’ mystique is the unpredictability of all of it.
In 2020, who may have foreseen Randy Arozarena’s rise from obscurity to a record-setting MLB postseason, or 20-year-old Tyler Herro lighting it up from the NBA bubble?
There’s additionally the opposite facet of the dialog: the can’t-miss prospects and the already-anointed greats.
This subsequent yr – with the Tokyo Olympics on faucet and probably a return to a extra regular sports activities calendar – will present a contemporary crop of breakout stars.
Whereas the conjecture could show silly, listed here are a number of of USA TODAY Sports activities’ greatest guesses as to whom will change into family names in 2021.
Sunisa Lee
At 16, Lee placed second within the all-around on the 2019 U.S. gymnastics championships behind Simone Biles. She was additionally a part of the People’ world championship squad, incomes crew gold, and a silver and bronze in particular person occasions. Now with the Summer season Olympics across the nook, she has the possibility to shine on the most important stage in Tokyo.
Noah Lyles
Like Lee, Lyles had a breakout yr in 2019, however has to attend an additional yr for the highlight of the Olympics. In 2019, Lyles – then 22 – received the 200-meter sprint at 19.83 seconds on the world championships. He was additionally a part of the USA’ gold-medal successful 4×100-meter relay.
Catarina Macario
Born in Brazil, Macario’s household moved to the USA whereas she was in highschool. At Stanford, she was a three-time first-team All-American, two-time nationwide champion and received the MAC Hermann Trophy – awarded to the nation’s greatest participant – twice. She was granted U.S. citizenship in October and joined the U.S. Ladies’s Nationwide Workforce coaching camp that very same day.
James Wiseman
The Golden State Warriors took Wiseman second total within the NBA draft after the 7-footer performed three faculty video games at Memphis, leaving some questions on projectability. His skilled profession is three video games previous, however all indications are that the 19-year-old is dealing with the transition effectively (19 and 18 factors in his first two contests, respectively). If he can work out a two-man sport with Stephen Curry, he may prevail as a prototype of the league’s future bigs.
Tua Tagovailoa
It does appear odd to have somebody on a “breakout stars” listing who has been a Heisman Trophy contender, nationwide champion and a top-five draft decide. That is merely a prediction that Tagovailoa may have a bountiful 2021: returning to full well being, gaining important offensive weapons and, lastly, taking full management of the Miami Dolphins.
Sabrina Ionescu
Like Tagovailoa, it does really feel bizarre to have a record-setting college basketball participant and No. 1 decide as a breakout star candidate. However Ionescu’s rookie season with the New York Liberty lasted three video games earlier than an ankle harm ended her yr. With the WNBA’s rising recognition, Ionescu may change into one of many league’s elite – by way of each play and recognition – in 2021.
Sixto Sanchez
MLB’s 60-game season final yr served as an appetizer for a rookie class that included the Miami Marlins right-hander, who can contact triple digits on the radar gun after which spin a slider that makes a hitter look silly. Sanchez posted a 3.46 ERA over seven begins within the common season earlier than shutting out the Chicago Cubs for 5 innings (six strikeouts) within the wild-card sequence. With extra performances like that, Sanchez will not be “simply one other reside arm” for lengthy.
Igor Shesterkin
Nonetheless technically a rookie, Shesterkin is among the favorites to win the Calder Trophy subsequent yr. With Henrik Lundqvist gone after 15 years in internet for the New York Rangers, it is Shesterkin’s flip. In 12 video games final season, he went 10-2 whereas averaging 2.32 objectives in opposition to. He received all 5 of the contests through which opponents shot 40 instances.
Chellsie Memmel
Possible the one particular person on this listing who may have additionally appeared on it in 2008, the gymnast spent the quarantine posting movies on YouTube and different social media websites of her coaching — ultimately resulting in a comeback effort for the upcoming Olympics. As a 32-year-old mother of two, she would change into fairly the story if she makes the crew.
Wander Franco
Franco has been the very best prospect in baseball since 2019, and though he misplaced useful maturation time with no minor league ball final season, the switch-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic is poised to make an instantaneous affect. He’ll flip 20 by Opening Day, and will rapidly change into one of many higher gamers on the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays – relying on how early or late the entrance workplace promotes him.
Emilie Castonguay & Rachel Luba
Castonguay is govt vice chairman and director of authorized affairs at Momentum Hockey. She grew to become the first NHLPA certified agent in Canada 4 years in the past and the primary feminine agent to characterize a No. 1 decide when Alexis Lafrenière was chosen by the Rangers on this yr’s NHL draft.
Luba, in the meantime, has constructed a steady of purchasers at her company, Luba Sports activities, at age 28. The former UCLA gymnast represents skilled softball gamers, MLB coaches and MLB players – together with one of the vital coveted free brokers within the 2021 class, right-hander Trevor Bauer. The Forbes 30 beneath 30 honoree additionally co-hosts a podcast and is energetic on social media, offering a glimpse into what new-age athlete illustration entails.
Comply with Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
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