40+ Celebrity Kids Following in Their Parents’ Athletic Footsteps

Kids Following in Their Famous Parents’ Athletic Footsteps

Second and third-generation stars are becoming the norm when you look at the sports industry. This may be because athletes are now bigger stars than they ever have been, or perhaps it’s because these young athletes have been exposed to the chosen sport for their entire life. Either way, there are a lot of celebrity kids following in their parents’ athletic footprints. Here are a few examples…

Zaire Wade

Dwayne Wade is a three-time NBA champion, having earned those in his multiple-year stint with the Miami Heat. But, he’s so much more than that — he’s an entrepreneur and a proud father.

Zaire Wade

Following in his dad’s shoes, Zaire Wade went from a star player on his high school team to the Brewster Academy, where he seems to be shining just as bright. He’s definitely a future NBA all-star.

Bronny James

If you say the word basketball, LeBron James is sure to be one of the first names to pop into your head. The “King” has played for multiple teams, including the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. His skills are surpassed by few, which is why he has earned rings with both teams.

Bronny James

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as it appears that his son, Bronny, seems to have the same flair and skills on the court. Bronny is so good that he was offered scholarships to Duke and other colleges before he even graduated high school.

Scottie Pippen Jr.

Scottie Pippen was a member of the very successful Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan years. Though the spotlight was mainly on Jordan, Scottie was a key part of the team’s success. With that, there’s no denying that his skills were absolutely amazing on the court.

Scottie Pippen Jr.

His son, who went on to play for Vanderbilt in college, is not only gifted with the same skills, but also with a father who wants to share his wisdom. We’re sure that’s part of the reason Scottie Pippen Jr. is such a great player.

Shareef O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal retired from basketball, but he was easily one of the best players on the court in his day. He used his fame to dabble in acting, and even to become a sports announcer. But, perhaps the thing he’s most proud of is his kids.

Shareef O’Neal

The young Shareef is extremely talented and got himself into UCLA, but unfortunately, he sat out his first year. This was due to a medical issue that he later had surgery for.

Olympia Ohanian Jr.

Tennis changed forever when Venus and Serena Williams stepped onto the court. Serena went on to become a 23-time grand slammer winner and one of the most famous tennis players.

Olympia Ohanian Jr.

In September of 2017, the famous tennis player welcomed her daughter, Olympia, into the world. Just three short years later and it looks like this little lady is on her way to show mama bear a thing or two!

Harper Beckham

Model and soccer player David Beckham is by far one of the greats of the soccer field. He has played all over the world and has won several trophies. Together with his wife, Victoria, he settled down and had four children.

Harper Beckham

Though all of the kids have shown some talent in soccer, only Harper has said she wants to follow in dad’s footsteps. It seems like she’s on the right track!

Charlie Woods

Tiger Wood has had a hectic career, but one thing you can’t take away from him is his talent. Tiger burst onto the scene at the age of 20 and stirred up the golf world. Winning his first Masters the following year was perhaps the end of one amazing year.

Charlie Woods

In 2020, at the age of 11, Charlie competed with his dad and showed off his own skills. If he’s this good now, we can’t imagine how he’ll be as an adult.

Simone Johnson

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has made quite the career for himself in Hollywood. But, he started back in the good old WWE as a professional wrestler. He was a multi-time champion and one of the most familiar faces of the sport.

Simone Johnson

His daughter, Simone, seems to have caught the bug. At the young age of 19, she was signed to a contract with the WWE. She will be a fourth-generation wrestler if she makes it through training.

Dwayne’ The Rock’ Johnson

Speaking of ‘The Rock,’ his dad — Rocky Johnson — was also a champion and star of the squared circle. In the ’70s and ’80s, he was part of a pretty popular tag team, and young Rock was exposed to the industry, eventually finding his way into the ring as well.

Dwayne’ The Rock’ Johnson

In the ’90s, Dwayne Johnson transformed into ‘The Rock’ when he signed with WWE. He worked his way up and became a household name before eventually retiring. Since then, he has built himself quite a lucrative acting career.

Ken Griffey Jr.

In the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Ken Griffey Sr. was one of the major All-Stars to step onto the diamond. He was a two-time World Series winner and multiple-time All-Star. With his skills, it was a given that his children would be pretty talented too.

Ken Griffey Jr.

That was definitely true when it came to Ken Griffey Jr., who followed in his footsteps and became a major baseball star — and one of the best players in the ’90s and 2000s.

Rob Ryan

One of the most important positions on any team is the head coach. One of the most famous of these was Buddy Ryan. He not only coached college teams, but several pro teams as well.

Rob Ryan

When your dad is one of the most famous coaches out there, it makes sense that you follow suit. That’s exactly what Rob Ryan did, as he’s currently the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

Eli and Peyton Manning

Archie Manning was a quarterback with the New Orleans Saints, the Houston Oilers, and the Minnesota Vikings. Though his NFL career was not as illustrious as his sons, he still had a decent career and imparted a lot of knowledge to his boys.

Eli and Peyton Manning

Eli and Peyton both have gone on to take the drive and knowledge their dad shared with them and turn it into outstanding careers.

Steph and Seth Curry

Dell Curry played for five different teams in his almost 20-year career. In 2002, he retired and with that, he finished his career as the Charlotte Hornets highest point scorer of all time. After retirement, he began his career as an announcer — and just in time to be an announcer for his sons’ games.

Steph and Seth Curry

Both of Dell’s sons, Steph and Seth, have gone on to become incredible basketball players. Though Seth is talented, Steph gets more air time as he’s a three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors.

Klay Thompson

Mychal Thompson was a center that played for multiple teams in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. He won two championships and was a first-round draft pick in 1978. After retiring in 1991, he transitioned to radio as a commentator in Portland and eventually relocated to work on Lakers radio.

Klay Thompson

Mychal’s son, Klay, has been playing on the championship-winning Golden State Warriors for the last decade as a shooting guard.

Clay Mathews III

William Clay Matthews Jr. was a linebacker from the 1970s to the 1990s with both the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons. Though he never won a Superbowl, he still holds a place in the top five linebackers in NFL history, with the most tackles.

Clay Mathews III

Clay Mathews III is also a linebacker who played for the Green Bay Packers and the LA Rams. During his career, Clay III was able to capture a Superbowl win and was also chosen as a first-round draft pick.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a welterweight boxer in the ’70s and ’80s. He’s well known for his defensive moves and because of this, when he retired, he began to train others how to do what he loved. This included his very famous son.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has fought in many weights and is still undefeated, which is impressive given the span of his career. His father’s defensive ability must have been inherited because many feel that he’s the best defensive boxer ever.

Bret Boone

Rob Boone has had many roles in the MLB. He started off as a catcher in the ’70s and ’80s, finally retiring in 1990. He was a multiple-time All-Star and a World Series winner with the Phillies in 1980. Afterward, he became a pretty well-known manager.

Bret Boone

His son, Bret — though not a catcher — followed in his dad’s footsteps and became a baseball player. He worked his magic as a second baseman throughout the ’90s and early 2000s before finally retiring in 2005.

Barry Bonds

The Bonds boys were the first father-son duo to have more than 1,000 home runs combined. Bobby certainly taught his boy a thing or two. After all, he was the first player to have 30 home runs and steals in one season.

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds was top of his game for years, and his stats show it. With the most home runs in history as well as several other accolades, he’s considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Moises Alou

Felipe Alou was an outfielder and first baseman for both the Montreal Expos and the San Francisco Giants. Felipe found his way onto the All-Star team on three separate occasions and was a hit leader in the league several times. Later, he became a manager and even managed his own son.

Moises Alou

Moises played the outfielder position as well on seven separate teams. He, too, was an All-Star player and earned a World Series win in 1997 when he played for the Florida Marlins.

Chris Long

Howie Long is a famous defensive end who used his fame to build a career as an actor and sports analyst. Howie played for 13 seasons with the Raiders and was even part of the Super Bowl XVIII championship team.

Chris Long

Howie’s son, Chris Long, also played the defensive end position just like his dad. Chris, though, played for three separate teams and earned two Super Bowl wins before retiring in 2018.

Prince Fielder

A power hitter and first baseman in the ’80s and ’90s, Cecil Fielder played in both the US and Japan. During his career, he was on the All-Star team three times and was also on the World Series-winning team in 1996.

Prince Fielder

Prince took the same position on the field as his dad. Considering that he’s a six-time All-Star player and has had the opportunity to play for three different teams, we think it’s safe to say that he led a pretty awesome career until he retired in 2016 due to a second neck injury that required surgery.

Luke Walton

Bill Walton was a center for multiple teams in the ’70s and ’80s. He won NBA championships with both the Trailblazers and the Celtics — and those are only some of his accolades. He eventually retired and made the transition to sports announcer.

Luke Walton

His son, Luke, followed his path to a point and then made his own way after retirement. He played 10 seasons in the NBA as a forward, winning two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been coaching since he retired in 2013.

Austin Rivers

Doc Rivers is now a coach for the 76ers but started his basketball career off on the court as many coaches do. He played point guard on four separate teams, ending his illustrious career in 1996 when he was with the Spurs.

Austin Rivers

His son, Austin, watched his dad and wanted to follow suit. After playing for Duke, he was drafted by the Hornets, where he played for three seasons. He then bounced around for a while before signing with his current team, the Denver Nuggets.

Chase Elliot

Million Dollar Bill, as he was known on the track, Bill Elliot is one of the most famous stock car racers of all time. He won the Winston Cup, Daytona 500, and many other major races from the early ’80s and well into the 2000s.

Chase Elliot

His son seems to be following in his father’s footsteps as he put the pedal to the metal on the NASCAR circuit, even winning the Cup series in 2020.

Thaddeus Moss

Randy Moss was a wide receiver in the ’90s and 2000s. He first played for the Minnesota Vikings and retired with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012 — with several accolades and records under his belt. Since his retirement, Randy has been keeping busy as a sports analyst.

Thaddeus Moss

His son, Thaddeus, is a tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former LSU star has had little time to show off his skills, but we’re sure he’ll have just as impressive a career as his pops.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The late great Dale Earnhardt Sr. raced for over three decades, collecting several wins along the way. Known as ‘The Intimidator,’ Dale was an icon in the world of racing. He is, for many, the best driver to ever grace the NASCAR circuit.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Those are big shoes to fill, but Dale Jr. thought he would get out there on the track and see what he could do. It turns out that he’s just as talented as his father. But, he also does other things. Not only is he an analyst for NBC, but he also writes and even owns his own racing team!

Austin Dillion

Mike Dillon is now a general manager for the Childress team, but he started off on the track as a driver for the team. A talented race car driver, Mike has raced in all three national series but ultimately never won a single race.

Austin Dillion

His son, Austin, is a full-time racer in the NASCAR cup series and holds the most consecutive pole record. He also has several wins under his belt!

Natalya Neidhart

In the ’80s, you couldn’t turn on the WWF (now WWE) without seeing the Heart Foundation. The team consisted of Bret ‘the Hitman’ Hart and Jim ‘the Anvil’ Neidhart. They were everywhere and often with title belts around their waist.

Natalya Neidhart

Growing up in Canada’s wrestling royal family and with the Anvil as your dad, it’s no surprise that daddy’s little girl, Natalya, would follow in her famous father’s footprints. One of the biggest female superstars of the current WWE, Natalya is known for her strength and submission capability.

Randy Orton

Cowboy Bob Orton was perpetually the heel, and he did it so well. Cowboy won multiple championships, including tag team gold and singles gold in multiple territories. He’s a Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest icons of the ’80s and ’90s.

Randy Orton

His son, Randy, who’s still wrestling with the WWE, came in and worked his way to being the second youngest wrestler to ever win the WWE Championship twice. He’s known for his speed and agility, as well as his power.

Charlotte Flair

Ric Flair is a name that, even if you’re not into professional wrestling, you will undoubtedly know. He’s a 16-time champion and one of the only wrestlers to make it into the Hall of Fame more than once. He was inducted as both a single competitor and with the iconic group known as the Four Horsemen.

Charlotte Flair

As it happens, his daughter, Charlotte, has picked up the mantle and the feathered robe to strut down to the WWE ring every week to compete. She’s a multiple-time champion and one of the powerhouses that has led the revolution in women’s wrestling over the last few years.

Tom Ince

Paul Ince is now a professional soccer manager. In his on-field career, he played as a midfielder for multiple teams. He was the first black captain for Manchester United and later a manager for Blackburn.

Tom Ince

His son, Tom, has played multiple positions — including attacking midfielder and forward. He’s now playing for Luton Town F.C.

Diego Mardona Jr.

Diego Maradona was an Argentinian soccer legend who played as both an attacking midfielder and a second striker for several teams between 1976 and 1997. He later became a respected manager.

Diego Mardona Jr.

His son, Diego Sinagra — often called Diego Jr. — was also a soccer star, but in Italy where he played for the national team and several clubs within the professional landscape. He also played beach soccer as a forward and midfielder.

William Nylander

Michael Nylander is a Swedish hockey player who has played for both the Swedish national team at the Olympics, as well as for several Canadian and American teams. After over two decades as a player, Michael retired in 2015 and turned to coaching.

William Nylander

William, his son, plays as a right-wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was drafted in the first round by that team. His career is still young and so, he has many years to shine.

Matthew Tkachuk

Keith Tkachuk is a hockey player who played in the left-wing position for teams like the Phoenix Coyotes and the Atlanta Thrashers. He played from 1991 to 2010. During his career, he became one of five American-born players to score 500 goals — as well as the sixth American player to score 1,000 points.

Matthew Tkachuk

Following in his father’s footsteps, Matthew is left-wing and plays for the Calgary Flames. He has played for them since 2016 and has been a part of the IIHF World championship team twice.

Laila Ali

‘The Greatest’ is what we all know him as — Muhammad Ali. Later in life, the legend became a philanthropist, although he continued to have a major presence in the boxing world.

Laila Ali

His daughter, Laila, would follow that path as well and become a champion in several different weight categories. Eventually, she would retire to become an actress and decorated author.

Christian McCaffery

After his Stanford career, Ed McCaffery was signed to the New York Giants. Over the next 12 seasons, he played for two more teams and won three Superbowl championships. After retirement, he went on to coach high school and college teams in Colorado.

Christian McCaffery

Christian, his son, is a running back with the Carolina Panthers. He too went to Stanford, and though he hasn’t won a championship ring yet, he still has a long career ahead of him.

Joey and Nick Bosa

John Bosa played for three seasons as a defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. John only played 31 games in his career, but those games were enough to inspire both his boys to follow the same track.

Joey and Nick Bosa

Nick and Joey are both currently defensive ends in the NFL. Nick plays for the 49ers and Joey for the Chargers. Both have several accolades, and it looks like they’ll be playing a long time, so they’re bound to rack up some more!

DK Metcalfe

In the 2000s, Terrence Metcalfe played in the guard position for the Bears, Lions, and the Saints. After leaving the field, Terrence turned to coaching at a local community college. He didn’t have an illustrious career, but he was a consistent player.

DK Metcalfe

DK Metcalf, Terrence’s son, is a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He has been playing for them since 2019 but really hasn’t been there long enough to garner any major accomplishments, so we will have to watch and see.

Joe Burrow

Jim Burrow was a defensive back in the Canadian Football League and an All-Star. He also played for the NFL, and even for teams like the Green Bay Packers from 1974 until 1981. After his football career was over, he turned to coaching up until 2018.

Joe Burrow

Joe attended and played for LSU, and in 2020, was drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals as a quarterback. He already has several accomplishments on his resume, including winning the Heisman Trophy.

Cam Jordan

From 1982 to 1994, Steve Jordan played for the Minnesota Vikings as a tight end. He played in six different Pro Bowls, and he still holds a record with the Vikings for the all-time single-game receiving record as a tight end. After he retired from the NFL, Steve then worked as a civil engineer.

Cam Jordan

After college, Cam Jordan was drafted to the New Orleans Saints as a defensive end. As of today, he has garnered 514 tackles and 95 sacks, along with multiple other accolades.

Kenyon Martin Jr.

For 15 seasons, Kenyon Martin Sr. played in the NBA as a power forward. He retired in 2015 while playing with the Milwaukee Bucks. Today, he has a weekly podcast titled “Neat and Unfiltered” on the Basketballnews.com Podcast Network.

Kenyon Martin Jr.

His son, Kenyon Martin Jr., is currently a small forward for the Houston Rockets. Originally, the young baller was going to play for Vanderbilt, but with the rules of the NBA draft, he opted to declare himself and was picked straight from college.

Jalen Brunson

After graduating from Temple in 1995, the point guard would find his way to the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers. In 2007, he retired and became the assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets and is presently a coach for Camden HS.

Jalen Brunson

In 2018, the Dallas Mavericks picked up Jalen Brunson as a point guard — just like his dad. Jalen is a two-time NCAA champ and a gold medal-winning player.

Caiden Lochte

Ryan Lochte is one of the most awarded swimmers in Olympic history. He garnered 12 Olympic medals and is the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history, behind Michael Phelps. His skills have been shown many times over, and it seems he’s looking for his son to follow in his footsteps.

Caiden Lochte

Though the kid is a little too young to have any accolades under his belt, it’s clear that his dad is looking to hand down some of the skills that he has. Just look at the Halloween costume.

Drew East

Shawn Johnson East was part of the 2008 USA Gymnastics National Team, where she showed off her skills and earned herself a few medals. Though she had skills in every discipline, she shined on the balance beam. She also shone as the winner of season eight of Dancing With the Stars.

Drew East

The gymnast just recently gave birth to her first child, but they’re already spending their downtime in a gym, where mama bear is showing her little one some of the basics. We’re sure that we will see young Drew up on the balance beam soon!

Mary Iglesias

Anna Kournikova was one of the most well-known tennis players before she retired from the sport. She may never have won a singles title, but she was very successful in doubles. She and Enrique Iglesias brought their daughter Mary into the world in 2020.

Mary Iglesias

The very young Mary is not on the courts yet, though mom is starting to dress her for the occasion. Maybe that’s a sign of what the future holds.

50+ Massive Athletes, Including The Largest In The World

Size is a relative factor, and in most competitions, it can make a huge difference. In boxing, fighters are classified and compete according to their weight division, while in basketball, being impressively tall can be a huge advantage. Take a look at the world’s largest athletes to feature in sporting history.

Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 lbs

Konishiki is a Hawaiian-born sumo wrestler who has an impressive record in the Japanese sport. He is famous for being the only non-Japanese competitor ever to reach Ozeki. This is the second-highest achievable rank. During his competing career had almost achieved the grand-champion position. His peak weight of 633 lbs had earned him the title as one of the heaviest sumo wrestlers in the history of the sport, which earned him the name of ‘Meat Bomb’.

Konishiki Yasokichi – 633 lbs

Margo Dydek – 7’2”

The late Polish basketball player, formally known in the US as Margo Dydek, is forever remembered for being the tallest female basketball player in the history of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She played the center position for several teams. Standing at an impressive 7 feet and 2 inches tall, she was a major advantage on the court for every team she played for. She was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019. Sadly this came eight years after her unfortunate passing.

Margo Dydek – 7’2”

Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7”

Gheorghe Muresan is a Romanian born NBA player that shares the title of the tallest player in the league’s history with Manute Bol. At the height of 7 feet and 7 and a half inches, Gheorghe makes all the other players look like small children. Gheorghe had a promising career and stacked up impressive statistics on the court, and since his retirement from the game he has taken up coaching. He is the founder of the Giant Basketball Academy in Ashburn, Virginia.

Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7”

Maria Sharapova – 6’2”

Many would remember the talented, former tennis player Maria Sharapova, but some don’t know that the Russian born tennis player is among the tallest women to play the game. She hit her first-ever tennis ball at the young age of four and has since shown her remarkable talent on the tennis court. In 2005, the 6 foot 2-inch right-hander achieved the no.1 rank, but she retired in February of 2020. To date, she is the third-highest earner in the sport.

Maria Sharapova – 6’2”

Peter Crouch – 6’7”

Peter Crouch is a former English football player who had appeared in two world cups for his country. He was a striker and is one of the tallest players ever on a football field. Crouch is one of the twenty-eight players to have scored more than 100 goals in the Premier League and holds the record for most headed goals. At an impressive height of 6 foot 7 inches, his success does not come as much of a surprise.

Peter Crouch – 6’7”

Hong-Man Choi – 7’2”

Hong-Man Choi is a mixed martial arts fighter and kick-boxer. He is a giant of a man and is one of the biggest fighters in MMA today. The South-Korean born fighter stands a whopping 7 foot and 2 inches tall and competes in the super heavyweight division. He was nicknamed the ‘Korean Monster’. Hong-Man has celebrated fame mostly because of his size. He has a kickboxing record of 12 wins and 8 losses in a total of 20 fights.

Hong-Man Choi – 7’2”

Stefan Struve – 7 feet

This Dutch-born Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter is also known by the nickname ‘Skyscraper’. He is one of the tallest competitors in this mixed martial arts competition. Stefan stands 7 feet tall and initially played football before his brother introduced him to mixed martial arts. He won his first match at the age of 16. Stefan has since fought in 41 matches, of which he won 29 and lost 12. He has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and fights for the Blackzillians fight club.

Stefan Struve – 7 foot

The Tree Man – 6’7”

The Tree Man, whose real name is Danny Jones, is a social media bodybuilder. He found his nickname because of tweets that went viral. In the tweets, it was mentioned that Danny, who was depicted in a picture with the tweet, is not a man, he is a tree. The bodybuilder has been known by the name The Tree Man since then. He stands 6 foot 7 inches tall and is a gym motivation influencer of some renown.

The Tree Man – 6’7”

Amazon Eve – 6’8”

Amazon Eve is a fitness instructor who has gained popularity and fame due to her enormous figure. She is also a model and actress. Amazon Eve can be seen in the show American Horror Story: Freak Show. She also appeared on the cover of Australia’s Zoo Weekly. Her real name is Erika Ervin, and she stands 6 foot 8 inches tall, boasting a shoe size of 14. You can watch her in episodes of Agents of SHIELD and Hemlock Grove.

Amazon Eve – 6’8”

Andre, The Giant – 7’4” and 520 lbs

This iconic wrestler sadly parted from this world in 1993. Andre Rene Roussimoff, better known as Andre, The Giant, is remembered by many WWF (now WWE) fanatics as one of the world’s largest wrestlers. The Frenchman, who was once famous for his feud with Hulk Hogan, was always much taller and heavier than all of his competitors. He stood 7 foot and 4 inches tall, and weighed in at 520 lbs. His ring name was ‘Monster Roussimoff’.

Andre, The Giant – 7’4” and 520 lbs

Jorge Gonzalez – 8 feet

Argentinian basketball player and WWF wrestler, Jorge Gonzalez, is among the few athletes of the world that hit a recorded height of 8 feet. By the age of 14, Jorge was already standing 6 feet and 4 inches tall. However, due to gigantism, he never stopped growing. He eventually reached the towering height that earned him the ring name “El Gigante”. He is most famous for eliminating The Undertaker during his debut ‘Royal Rumble’, but he also earned a bronze medal in basketball.

Jorge Gonzalez – 8 feet

Holley Mangold – 5’8’’ and 415 lbs

Holley Mangold is an American weightlifter who weighs 415 lbs, and has a record of lifting 562 lbs. She stands at a height of 5 feet and 8 inches. Holley started competing in weightlifting in 2008 and has since represented America when she competed at the Olympics. She ranked ninth in a total of fourteen competitors in her division. To prove just how strong she is, Holley survived a head-on collision with only minor injuries by simply pushing the steering wheel away.

Holley Mangold – 5’8’’ and 415 lbs

Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’5’’ and 300 lbs

Mamadou is a Senegalese basketball player who is considered among the tallest athletes in the world. Initially, he only played soccer, but in 2010, he was spotted at a gym in Dakar, Senegal, where he was playing basketball with friends. He was immediately recruited and soon after he moved to America. Standing 7 feet and 5 inches tall and weighing 300 lbs, he is a towering giant. He was awarded the best defensive player of the year award after the 2013/14 NBA season.

Mamadou N’Diaye – 7’5’’ and 300 lbs

Randy Johnson – 6’8’’

The former baseball pitcher who has been nicknamed ‘The Big Unit’, Randy Johnson is one of the tallest baseball players in the history of the sport. Not only is he a formidable player who had an amazing 22 seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, but he also stands an impressive 6 feet and 8 inches tall. He is one of the most successful left-handed pitchers, and he was able to reach a pitching speed of 100 miles an hour. In 2015, Randy was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Randy Johnson – 6’8’’

Usain Bolt – 6’5’’

Usain Bolt is an athlete who requires no introduction, as many know that he was considered the fastest man on the planet. However, not many people realize that the Jamaican-born sprinter is also one of the tallest men on the track field. Usain is nearly 6 feet and 5 inches tall, and his impressive skills on the track garnered him the nickname ‘Lightning Bolt’. Usain has plenty of medals and world records that prove that he is one of the most talented athletes in history.

Usain Bolt – 6’5’’

Michael Phelps – 6’4’’

Former American competitive swimmer Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympic athletes in the world. He has won 28 medals, of which 23 are gold. In 2008, at the Beijing Olympic Games, Michael broke the record for the most consecutive gold medals by winning eight in a row. His record and impressive swimming talents gave the swimming champion the nickname, ‘Flying Fish’. He is also sometimes called ‘The Baltimore Bullet’ by his fellow club members.

Michael Phelps – 6’4’’

Yao Ming – 7’6’’

It seems to be a customary trait of basketball players to be excessively tall, as is also the case of professional basketball player Yao Ming. The advantage that height has in basketball is clearly expressed by the success that Yao enjoyed throughout his career. This Chinese player, who stands at a height of 7 feet and 6 inches, has retired from the court, but he averaged 19 points per game throughout his career. Yao began playing at the age of 13.

Yao Ming – 7’6’’

Jan Koller – 6’8’’

Jan Koller is a former football striker who played for his home country, the Czech Republic, and is one of the tallest strikers in the history of football. He stands at a grand height of 6 feet and 8 inches and recorded 55 goals in 91 appearances. The successful footballer played for his country in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and started his career playing for the Sparta Prague club team. He holds a golden boot award and is also considered the top-scoring Czech player.

Jan Koller – 6’8’’

Darya Klishina – 5’11’’

Darya Igorevna Klishina is a Russian long jump champion who ranked ninth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. She is an impressive athlete and has a long jump personal best record of over 7 meters. What is perhaps more impressive about the Russian athlete is her height. Darya stands at a height of 5 feet and 11 inches. She first started playing volleyball at the age of 8, but due to her father’s influence, she changed her profession to the long jump.

Darya Klishina – 5’11’’

Blanka Vlasic – 6’3’’

Blanka Vlasic is a Croatian Olympic high jumper who, aside from her impressive career in athletics, is also incredibly tall. She stands at a height of 6 feet and 3 inches. She has earned a silver medal at the Olympic Games, as well as several gold medals in the World and European Championships. Blanka is also considered by many as one of the most beautiful athletes in the high jump, and her career-best jump was over 2 meters high.

Blanka Vlasic – 6’3’’

Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8 feet

Suleiman Ali Nashnush is one of the few individuals in the world that either reached or exceeded a height of 8 feet. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1991, but he will forever be remembered as one of the tallest basketball players and actors in history. Suleiman was born in Libya and played for the national team, but at the time, he was only 7 feet and 10 inches tall. Suleiman suffered from a disease that made him grow continuously, and only after receiving surgery did his exponential growth end.

Suleiman Ali Nashnush – 8 feet

Kerri Walsh Jennings – 6’3’’

Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings is an American volleyball player who is considered to be among the tallest players in the sport’s history. She is a three-time gold medalist and one-time bronze medalist at the Olympic games. Kerri is also one of the highest-earning volleyball players in the world. She stands at a height of 6 feet and 3 inches, which gives her a major advantage over most of her competition. Kerri is also co-champion and gold medalist of the team tournaments at national leagues and the Olympic Games.

Kerri Walsh Jennings – 6’3’’

Richard Metcalfe – 7’

Rugby has had its fair share of enormous players, especially because either a heavyweight or tall figure can provide a handsome advantage. In a throw-in, being tall has its bonuses, and in scrummage, a heavy set will be advantageous. Thus, it was not uncommon to see players like Richard Metcalfe running out on the field. The English-born player played as a lock, and at 7 feet, he was 6 inches taller than the average forward player.

Richard Metcalfe – 7’

Aaron Sandilands – 6’11’’

Australian athlete Aaron Sandilands is a former footballer who has long been regarded as one of the tallest players of footy. Australian football is similar to American football, but with a variety of changes in the rules, thus it is called Australian Rules Football. Aaron stands at a height of 6 feet and 11 inches and is one of the best players in the Australian Football League. Aaron has been awarded numerous medals and has also been selected for the All-Star Australian team on four individual occasions.

Aaron Sandilands – 6’11’’

Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2’’

Aleksey Valerevich Kazakov is a Russian volleyball player. Other than being considered one of the tallest athletes of the world at a height of 7 feet and 2 inches, he is also an impressive player. He was part of the 2004 Olympic volleyball team in Athens, finishing in third place and earning a bronze medal. At the previous Olympic games, Aleksey earned a silver medal. He is certainly as intimidating a player as he is tall, which undoubtedly affords him a great advantage.

Aleksey Kazakov – 7’2’’

Mohammad Irfan – 7’1’’

For any cricket enthusiast, the name Mohammad Irfan would be familiar. Not only is he the tallest cricketer in history, at an impressive height of 7 feet and 1 inch. But he is also known for his extremely fast bowling. Mohammad Irfan is a member of the Pakistani national team, a team that has been known for having a few of the biggest players. To date, Irfan is considered the tallest cricket player. His bowling has broken records and restored the fans’ faith in the Pakistani cricket team.

Mohammad Irfan – 7’1’’

Nikolai Valuev – 7’ and 328 lbs

Nikolai Sergeyevich Valuev is one of the most successful boxers in the history of sports. Despite being a fierce competitor, it is perhaps his height and size that is most intimidating. Standing at a height of 7 feet tall and weighing in at 328 lbs, Nikolai is not someone you would want to face in the ring. He held the heavyweight championship twice and won 50 of the 53 matches he competed in, of which 34 were won by knockout.

Nikolai Valuev – 7’ and 328 lbs

Brittney Griner – 6’9’’

Brittney Yevette Griner is an American women’s basketball player with an impressive record. She stands 6 feet and 9 inches tall, which likely gives her a great advantage. She is among the only female basketball players to have scored 2,000 points and blocked 500 shots. The Texas native started playing at a young age and was chosen as the number one player in women’s basketball by Rivals.com. She even led the American female team to a gold medal in the 2016 Olympic games.

Brittney Griner – 6’9’’

Lacina Traore – 6’8’’

Lacina Emeghara Traore is a footballer who was born in the Ivory Coast and who plays for the national Ivorian team. He is among the tallest footballers in history, standing at a height of 6 feet and 8 inches. Lacina has had a long and impressive career, having competed for a variety of clubs in the European leagues and the FIFA World Cup. He plays forward and is considered one of Africa’s best football players.

Lacina Traore – 6’8’’

Dane De La Rosa – 6’7’’

Dane David De La Rosa is a former baseball relief pitcher who was born in America. He is considered among the tallest athletes in the world. Dane stands at a height of 6 feet and 7 inches and had an impressive career. He played for several Major League Baseball teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He had an ERA of 4.5 and a recorded 78 strikeouts.

Dane De La Rosa – 6’7’’

Rik Smits – 7’4’’

Rik Smits is a Dutch former basketball player who earned the nickname ‘The Dunking Dutchman’ for his impressive skills on the court. Although there have now been far taller players on American basketball courts, Rik’s height of 7 feet and 4 inches was, for a long time, considered to be the tallest. He will always be remembered because of his height. He was one of the Indiana Pacers’ greatest players, and he spent his whole career playing for them.

Rik Smits – 7’4’’

Chuck Nevitt – 7’5’’

Chuck Nevitt may not be as familiar a name as Shaq. But as a tall man, Charles Goodrich Nevitt certainly made an impression on basketball fans in the eighties and early nineties. Chuck was nicknamed ‘Chuck E. Cheese’, as well as ‘The Human Victory Cigar’, when he still played. Standing at a height of 7 feet and 5 inches, Chuck was among the tallest basketball players of his time. He played for several teams, including the LA Lakers and the Detroit Pistons.

Chuck Nevitt – 7’5’’

Zdeno Chara – 6’9’’

Zdeno Chara is a Slovak defenseman who plays ice hockey for the Boston Bruins and is serving as the captain of the team. He is considered to be the tallest player to ever be drafted in the National Hockey League. At a height of 6 feet and 9 inches, it is clear to see why he plays defense. Nearly all of his competitors are shorter than him and find it difficult to get through his defenses. He is an impressive player who has led his team to win several trophies.

Zdeno Chara – 6’9’’

Andy Fordham – 6’2’’ and 445 lbs

Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham is an English world champion darts player who has long been considered as the heaviest and perhaps tallest darts player to ever compete at the world championship. He weighed 445 lbs when he last played, but it is said that he has been actively trying to shed some of his weight due to health complications. At 6 feet and 2 inches, it is not likely that his height provides an advantage, since the sport mostly requires dexterity and accuracy.

Andy Fordham – 6’2’’ and 445 lbs

Jon Rauch – 6’11’’

Jon Erich Rauch is a former baseball pitcher who was the tallest Major League player in recorded baseball history at the time. At a height of 6 feet and 11 inches, it would not be easy to exceed the pitcher’s record. He played for multiple teams, including the Chicago White Sox. He had an impressive 475 strikeouts with an ERA of 3.9. Jon was a formidable pitcher and even earned an Olympic gold medal in the course of his career.

Jon Rauch – 6’11’’

Eddy Curry Jr. – 7 feet

Eddy Curry Jr. is an American basketball player who is considered among the tallest athletes of the world at a height of 7 feet. Although such impressive height is not uncommon, Eddy is an excellent player and one of the most sought after in the National Basketball League. Eddy was initially more passionate about gymnastics and intended to pursue a career in that direction. However, after being included in his high school basketball team, he had a change of heart. As a formidable player, he went straight out of high school to compete in the NBA.

Eddy Curry Jr. – 7 feet

Dondre Harris – 7 feet

Still in high school, Dondre Harris is already on the list of the biggest athletes but has yet to compete in any major leagues. He has been widely acclaimed as the tallest high school American football defensive lineman in the history of high school football. Considering that the young man could still grow, he will certainly be one of the biggest and tallest players to ever be drafted in the NFL. Many people are already looking forward to seeing him play.

Dondre Harris – 7 feet

Hasheem Thabeet – 7’3’’

Hasheem Thabeet is a Tanzanian basketball player who played throughout his high school and college years. He started playing at the age of 15 and is considered among the tallest athletes today. He stands at a height of 7 feet and 2 inches and has raked in plenty of records for his impressive defensive plays. However, despite his early success and catching the attention of several coaches and club managers, Hasheem is still to make his true mark in the National Basketball Association.

Hasheem Thabeet – 7’3’’

Gogea Mitu, the “Giant of Romania” – 7’9’’

Gogea Mitu, born Dumitru Stefanescu, is a late Romanian boxer who will be remembered in the history of sports for many reasons. He was the tallest Romanian in history, at a height of 7 feet and 9 inches, and he is also considered the tallest boxer to ever get into the ring. His career started in the early 1930s, and he is remembered as the ‘Goliath of Romania’, whom no one could defeat. Sadly, his career as a boxer ended after only three fights, all of which he won by knockout.

Gogea Mitu, the “Giant of Romania” – 7’9’’

Gursimran ‘Sim’ Bhullar – 7’5’’

Gursimran Bhullar, nicknamed ‘Sim’, is a Canadian basketball player who has impressed many fans with his size and talent. Sim’s parents immigrated to Canada before he was born, and they originally hailed from India. Sim stands at a height of 7 feet and 5 inches and has earned both a bronze and silver medal for the Canadian national basketball team. He is considered the sixth tallest basketball player in the NBA. Before playing basketball, Sim had only played a traditional Indian sport called Kabaddi.

Gursimran ‘Sim’ Bhullar – 7’5’’

Manute Bol – 7’7’’

Manute Bol is a late Sudanese-born American basketball player. Like many of the other members of his tribe from South Sudan, the Dinka, he was exceptionally tall. He was once known as the tallest basketball player in the NBA, but he has been replaced by taller players since his retirement. Manute passed away in 2010, but his son, Bol Bol, continues to add to the legacy that his father began. Manute Bol is remembered in NBA history as one of the only players to have more blocked shots than points earned.

Manute Bol – 7’7’’

Richie Gray – 6’10’’

Richie Gray is a well-known name to any enthusiastic rugby fan. The 6-foot, 10-inch lock, who is originally from Scotland, is iconized on the rugby field due to his incredible performances, especially when he played with the British Lions. He began his career playing for the Glasgow Warriors and also represented Scotland at international games. He later signed with the Sales Sharks, then traveled to France to play for Castres Olympique, but he has recently returned to Scotland to play for his first team.

Richie Gray – 6’10’’

Sun Mingming – 7’9’’

Sun Mingming is a Chinese basketball player who, at a height of 7 feet and 9 inches, has been recorded as one of the tallest basketball players ever to be drafted. He started playing at the age of 15 and was drafted by several minor league clubs in America. He has since moved back to China to play for the Beijing Ducks. Sun is also recognized in the Guinness Book of Records with his wife for being the tallest couple in the world.

Sun Mingming – 7’9’’

Emmanuel Yarbrough – 6’7’’ and 882 lbs

Emmanuel Yarbrough, also known by the contradictory nickname ‘Tiny’, was an American-born, multi-talented athlete. He was once recognized in the Guinness Book of Records for being the heaviest athlete alive. Emmanuel stood 6 feet and 7 inches tall, and at the peak of his sumo wrestling career, weighed 882 lbs. His transition into MMA and learning Judo allowed Emmanuel to shed some of his weight. Emmanuel also played football for a short while and competed in professional wrestling in Germany. He passed away in 2015.

Emmanuel Yarbrough – 6’7’’ and 882 lbs

Shaun Rogers – 6’4’’ and 350 lbs

Shaun Rogers is a former American football player who played as a defensive tackle for teams such as the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants. He earned the nickname, ‘Chunks’, because of both his enormous size and length. At the peak of his career, Shaun weighed a total of 350 lbs and stood 6 feet and 4 inches tall. Despite his size, Shaun was known to have a quick sprinting speed. In his career as a tackle, he made a total of 513 tackles. He was also awarded a touchdown, which is not a likely achievement for a defensive player.

Shaun Rogers – 6’4’’ and 350 lbs

Paul Soliai – 6’4’’

Paul Fuapapa Soliai was a former American football defensive tackle who played for the Miami Dolphins. He was born in California and is considered among the biggest and tallest athletes to compete in American football. At a height of 6 feet and 4 inches, weighing 345 lbs, Paul was an impressive defensive player. He also played for other teams, including the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers. In his career as a tackle he made 219 tackles total.

Paul Soliai – 6’4’’

Primo Carnera – 6’6’’

Primo Carnera was a former Italian professional boxer and wrestler who is not only one of the tallest athletes but also one of the most formidable boxers of all time. He stood at a height of 6 feet and 6 inches, with a reach of 7 feet. This gave him a considerable advantage in the boxing ring. Primo was a longtime heavyweight champion, and in the 103 matches that he fought, Primo won 89 and had the record for most fights won by way of knockout.

Primo Carnera – 6’6’’

Lennox Lewis – 6’5’’

Lennox Lewis is a legend in the boxing ring, and as many would know, Lennox Claudias Lewis was a three-time heavyweight champion and the last boxer to be undisputed champion. At a height of 6 feet and 5 inches, Lennox is among the tallest athletes in the world. He is one of the most successful boxers to compete in recent times. Of the 44 fights in which Lennox competed, he won 41, of which 32 were by knockout.

Lennox Lewis – 6’5’’

Rory Arnold – 6’10’’

Rory Wiremu Arnold is another familiar name in rugby, both because of his impressive talent on the field and because his height gained him a lot of attention. The Australian lock stands at a height of 6 feet and 10 inches and plays for the Australian national team. He also plays for the Australian club, the Canberra Vikings, as well as for the Super Rugby club, the Brumbies. He has an identical twin by the name of Richie, who also plays the lock position.

Rory Arnold – 6’10’’

Ivo Karlovic – 6’11’’

Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlovic shares the title of the tallest ranked tennis player with Reilly Opelka, at a height of 6 feet and 11 inches. Ivo’s highest ranking among world tennis players was the number 14 spot. Ivo has won a total of 8 ATP championships. His current world ranking is 124. He once held the record for the fastest serving speed at 165 miles per hour. But in 2016, he was surpassed by John Isner.

Ivo Karlovic – 6’11’’

Lisa Leslie – 6’5’’

Lisa Deshaun Leslie is a former Women’s National Basketball Association player who, although not the tallest, is certainly among the tallest female athletes in the world. At a height of 6 feet and 5 inches, Lisa easily towers over her opposition. This helped to afford her great success on the basketball court. She helped earn her team four Olympic gold medals from 1996 to 2008. Since her retirement, Lisa has been working as a model and is also coaching basketball. She is also a sports analyst for Fox Broadcasting in Florida.

Lisa Leslie – 6’5’’

Sharran Alexander – 448 lbs

Sharran Alexander is an English sumo wrestler who has been named the heaviest female athlete in the history of sports by Guinness World Records. At a height of 6 feet and weighing in at 448 lbs, her title as the heaviest female competitor will be undisputed for a long time to come. Apart from her world record, Sharran is a tough challenge in sumo wrestling. She has won four gold medals in numerous competitions. Surprisingly, she only began competing at the age of 41.

Sharran Alexander – 448 lbs

Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1’’

This list would not be complete without mentioning the former basketball legend, Shaquille Dashaun O’Neal. At 7 feet and 1 inch, Shaq is perhaps not the tallest player on the basketball court anymore. But during his 19 years of professional play, he was considered among the tallest athletes in the world. Shaq had an impressive career and is considered one of the greatest players to grace the basketball courts of America. With a total career point count of 28,596, he is considered among the top scorers of all time.

Shaquille O’Neal – 7’1’’

John Daly – 300 lbs

John Patrick Daly is an American golfer who is famous among sports fans for several reasons, and it is not likely because he performs impressively. He is a golfer who is known to have a bad attitude and inconsistent performance. But above all, he is known for being the heaviest player. Sure, golf doesn’t exactly require the best physique, but John took it slightly overboard at a weight of 300 lbs. He stands 5 feet and 11 inches tall. His weight is most likely due to his bad habits. John was known to consume many diet sodas and smoke too much. He has since lost some weight, but has a long road to a healthy lifestyle.

John Daly – 300 lbs

Eric Esch – 425 lbs

Eric Scott Esch, better known by his ring name ‘Butterbean’, is a former American boxer who had an impressive career. He competed in a total of 91 boxing matches and won 77 of them, of which 58 were won by knockout. At a height of 5 feet and 11 inches and weighing in at 425 lbs, Butterbean is considered one of the fiercest opponents in boxing. In recent times, Eric also tried his hand at MMA and kickboxing but has not had the same success.

Eric Esch – 425 lbs

John Krahn – 7 feet and 400 lbs

John Krahn is a high school American football player with a bright future ahead of him. And it is not only because of his towering height of 7 feet. Nor is it because of his heavyweight factor of 400 lbs. But it is because he excels at the game. At the age of 17, John is expected to still grow taller. And when he makes it into the NFL, he will become one of the heaviest and tallest footballers to be drafted.

John Krahn – 7 feet and 400 lbs

Paul Wight II – 7 feet and 383 lbs

Paul Donald Wight II is better known by his WWE ring name, ‘The Big Show’. He is certainly one of the biggest athletes in the world. At a height of 7 feet and 2 inches and weighing 383 lbs, The Big Show is one of the heaviest wrestlers to ever entertain the world. Only a little behind Andre the Giant, The Big Show has plenty of fans in the WWE Universe. Paul is also an actor and suffers from acromegaly. For instance, this caused Paul, at the age of 12, to already have grown past 6 feet in height and he weighed 220 lbs.

Paul Wight II – 7 feet and 383 lbs

Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’4’’

Yvetta Hlavacova is a former Czech female swimmer who is most noted for her impressive height. Standing 6 feet and 4 inches tall, she was one of the world’s tallest competitive swimmers. And swimming against her is certainly a daunting challenge in the waters. She competes in long-distance swimming and dominated the division with her athletic talents for a long time. She is also a fashion model. She has won silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

Yvetta Hlavacova – 6’4’’

Laura Dijkema – 6 feet

Laura Chantal Dijkema is a Dutch volleyball player who stands at an advantageous height of 6 feet. Despite having a natural advantage, Laura has dedicated herself to the sport, having begun playing at the age of 7. She progressed very successfully in her career and has even won silver medals at the European Championships. She also possesses several trophies in Netherlandic competitions and is one of the best players in the world.

Laura Dijkema – 6 feet

Hafthor Bjornsson – 6’9’’ and 400 lbs

Hafthor Julius Bjornsson is perhaps best known today for his role as ‘The Mountain’ in Game of Thrones. But he is also among the tallest athletes of the world. Hafthor, often only called Thor, is a strongman competitor. And he is the only challenger to have won Arnold’s, Europe’s, and the World’s Strongman competitions in the same calendar year. Above all, at a height of 6 feet and 9 inches, Thor is capable of deadlifting 1,102 lbs.

Hafthor Bjornsson – 6’9’’ and 400 lbs

Nataliya Kuznetsova – 5’7’’ and 225 lbs

Nataliya Kuznetsova is perhaps not the tallest woman in the world at a height of 5 feet and 7 inches. But she is certainly one of the strongest female bodybuilders you will ever see. She weighs 225 lbs. This is quite a lot, considering she has almost no fat – only muscle. Nataliya currently holds the female world record for arm lifting, the bench press, and deadlift. Moreover, she is a Russian powerhouse. She is the strongest woman in the world.

Nataliya Kuznetsova – 5’7’’ and 225 lbs