In the world of modern sports, young athletes are on the rise. From the soccer fields in Europe to the football fields in the United States, young athletes such as Lamine Yamal and Ryan Williams are changing the world of sports. As these phenoms break records, they set new standards by challenging the traditional path taken for athletes, leading the way for the next generation of athletes to perform even sooner. So who are some young phenoms who are changing the world of sports before they turn 20?
Lamine Yamal: Lamine Yamal debuted for F.C. Barcelona’s first team at the age of 15 years old, making him the team’s
youngest player by a great margin. Yamal’s technical ability immediately drew attention, putting him into the spotlight. At the age of 16, he made his debut for the Spanish national team in a Euro qualifier, making him the youngest player to ever represent Spain at the senior level. In this game, he also scored his first goal for the Spanish national team, setting another record for the youngest goalscorer in Spanish national team history. Yamal has been compared to many players, such as Lionel Messi, showing the expectations that are placed on him. Yamal’s spotlight has the opportunity to reshape soccer as we know it today, bringing on a future of young athletes.
Ryan Williams: At the age of 17, Ryan Williams is considered one of the most promising football prospects in the country.
Playing for the powerhouse team of Alabama, even playing at all at his young age is an achievement, but Ryan Williams has earned the spot of WR1, playing in every game and even scoring several touchdowns against teams, including Georgia. In high school, Williams won the “Mr. Football” award in Alabama two years back to back, sharing staggering stats. He reclassified from the class of 2025 to the class of 2024, explaining his age of 17 in college.
Victor Wembanyama: Victor Wembanyama or “Wemby,” did not follow a typical college path like most NBA players do. Wemby grew up in France, and at the age of 15 he signed with a French team, Nanterre 92. At the age of 19, Wemby was the first pick in the 2023 NBA draft, marking the start of his league career. Standing at 7’4, Wembanyama has dominated the league, putting up 21.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. This allowed him to be named the 2024 Rookie of the Year, a great achievement, especially at his age. He shows great versatility and has a bright future in the league, especially with his performance now.
Quincy Wilson: Another amazing young athlete who broke into the sports world this summer is Quincy Wilson. He was born in 
2008 and is only 16 years old! After an amazing sophomore track season in high school where he set the record for an under-18 world best for the indoor 400-meter dash. He is the youngest ever to qualify for the US Olympic men’s team 4x400m. He competed in this event this summer at the Paris games where the US took home gold. Although he only participated in the heats, this was enough for him to qualify to receive the US gold medal. This made him the youngest track and field athlete ever to win a gold medal in the Olympics
Dylan Stewart: Dylan Stewart is an impressive American football player who plays for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks as an edge. Born September 14, 2005, he is currently 19 years old at the time of publishing. Standing at 6’6 248 lbs, Stewart is known for his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness off the edge. He had an instant impact in his freshman season in 2024, recording 1.5 sacks, four tackles, and two forced fumbles in his first game. Being so young, he has had some penalties on conduct, but he is a name to watch out for in college football, even being discussed as a potential (but very unlikely) Heisman candidate.
Momiji Nishiya and Rayssa Leal: Both competing in the women’s skateboarding category in the 2020 Olympics, I have decided to lump these two athletes into one section. Both being 13 years old at the time of the competition, they competed for their countries at the top level and even managed to bring home medals. Nishiya brought home the gold medal, while Leal brought home the silver. A category of sport typically dominated by adults, this was a shock to the world as two 13-year-olds were decided as the world’s best for the sport. Both athletes remain active in the sport and compete at high levels, with Leal winning gold at the World Skate Games Italia 2024. These athletes have showcased the potential that young athletes have to offer and may signal a new wave in the sport.
Boozer Twins: Cameron and Cayden Boozers are twins who have been making waves in the basketball community ever since they entered high school. They are the sons of NBA star Carlos Boozer who had a 13-year career in the league. Cameron Boozer is a top recruit in the class of 2025 with 5 stars. He plays forward and is known for his versatility and high basketball IQ. Cayden is also a highly touted recruit who has 4 stars. He plays point guard and often pairs his brother’s ability to stretch the floor with his shot-creation skills. Despite their age, these twins have drawn comparisons to NBA stars and are considered future stars should they make it to the league. They have already taken the first step in that process with their recent commitment to Duke. They follow in their father’s footsteps who was a center there from 1999-2002. Let’s hope that Jon Scheyer does not waste their potential.
Gavi: Gavi, or Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, is a young Spanish soccer phenom. Born August 5, 2004, he is currently playing for F.C. Barcelona as well as the Spanish national team. Gavi made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 17 and has performed well since. He was Spain’s youngest-ever national player to debut, playing in a nation’s league semi-final against Italy after just having turned 17. Gavi has already made a mark on the international stage. In addition to being Spain’s youngest player, he played a key role in the 2022 World Cup and Nations League. His energy has been vital to Spain’s midfield, and he has shown great potential and success even at his young age. Some predict that he will even become one of the best midfielders in the world as he continues to improve with age, and he is expected to keep making headlines.
Erriyon Knighton: Knighton made his debut on the world scale as a high school athlete, shining specifically in the 200m in Track and Field. At the age of 17, he qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, being the youngest athlete to do so since 1964. He placed fourth in the games, breaking Usain Bolt’s world record in the process, then proceeding to break his own record a year later at 18, which made him the fourth-fastest man in the history of the event at just 18 years old.
Chloe Kim: Chloe Kim is an American snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medalist. She became the youngest woman to
The future of young sports looks bright with more young athletes stepping in on the professional stage. Young stars have continued to become more and more common, with players aged 17 and 18 years old becoming a frequent occurrence. Talents such as Wembanyama and Lamine Yamal are redefining what it means to compete at the highest level, with years of dominance ahead of them. This trend is not just limited to traditional sports either. In sports such as skateboarding and snowboarding, young athletes are beginning to dominate the field, taking home medals in many well-known events, even the Olympics. Young athletes are making their mark all over the athletics field, and their potential is unheard of. As this trend continues to become more and more common, we may see a continued rise in shocking performances and achievements from athletes of increasingly younger ages. These athletes are showing that youth doesn’t limit capability, and the future holds even more potential as young athletes continue to challenge expectations and push the limits of their sports. With the combination of talent, resources, and earlier opportunities, these rising stars are set to dominate sports for years to come.
