Year after year, a fresh batch of promising athletes across various sports emerge with standout seasons, evolving into star performers.

In 2024, we witnessed Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making their inaugural WNBA All-Star appearances as rookies, Paul Skenes debuting in MLB with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels stepping into the spotlight as a potential MVP contender.

Now, who are the athletes expected to break out in 2025?

Here are 10 athletes identified by the YSL News Sports editorial team as gearing up for stellar performances in 2025—some rising stars who could transition into prominent figures and a few young talents on the verge of achieving superstar status.

Upcoming WNBA player Paige Bueckers

At first glance, it might seem surprising to feature Bueckers on this list, given her impressive collegiate achievements and partnerships with brands like Gatorade and Nike. However, UConn is a strong contender for a Final Four spot, and with Bueckers being a likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, 2025 could catapult her to even greater fame.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini

Only weeks after turning 18, the San Jose Sharks picked Celebrini as the No. 1 overall choice in last summer’s NHL draft. Despite dealing with an injury that sidelined him for a majority of October, he has become a vital playmaker for the team, accumulating 22 points in his first 22 games. With continued success, he might even contend for the Rookie of the Year award in 2025.

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper

While Duke sensation Cooper Flagg garners significant attention as this college basketball season unfolds, keep an eye on Harper, another freshman likely to be picked in the NBA draft lottery as 2025 approaches. Standing at 6-foot-6, he has been among the top scorers in men’s college basketball as of December 20, and together with fellow freshman Ace Bailey, could lead Rutgers to a surprising run in the NCAA tournament this spring.

Figure skater Ilia Malinin

At just 20 years old, Malinin stands out as one of the top stars in figure skating—he’s the reigning world champion and the first male figure skater ever to successfully perform a quadruple axel in international competitions. As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan draws nearer, excitement for Team USA will likely elevate Malinin’s profile, making him a household name by next year.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning

After spending nearly two seasons on the sidelines, Manning is poised to become the starting quarterback for Texas in 2025. If his performances during this year’s limited play are anything to go by, he could quickly rise to the status of one of the top quarterbacks in college football, potentially even a Heisman Trophy contender.

Future MLB Pitcher Rōki Sasaki

Every few years, a standout player from Japan creates a buzz when joining MLB, and Sasaki is set to be the next. During his four years in Nippon Professional Baseball, he posted an impressive 2.02 ERA with nearly six strikeouts for every walk, showcasing a devastating slider and a fastball capable of reaching 100 mph. As of December 20, his MLB destination was still uncertain, but the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs are reportedly among the interested teams.

Tennis Player Ben Shelton

The former Florida Gator had a remarkable journey to the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open, rising to as high as No. 13 in the ATP world rankings earlier this year. As Shelton, who turned 22 in October, continues to develop, 2025 may be the year he breaks into the top 10 and collects more consistent deep runs in major tournaments.

Future NFL Quarterback Cam Ward

Ward’s stellar performance in 2024, finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, along with speculation about his potential first-round pick status in the 2025 NFL Draft, contributes to this assessment. Some analysts have connected Ward to the New York Giants, where he could step in as a starter from Day 1, supported by a strong lineup of receivers and running backs, including standout wide receiver Malik Nabers.

San Antonio Spurs Center Victor Wembanyama

Why is the top pick of the 2023 NBA draft and reigning rookie of the year included here? Simply put, he hasn’t truly had his breakthrough yet. In the early going of the 2024-25 season, Wembanyama has shown improvements in crucial areas like scoring and three-point shooting. By this time next year, he’s very likely to have earned a place on the All-Star roster.

Ajax and U.S. Midfielder Lily Yohannes

At just 16 years old, Yohannes received her first call-up to the U.S. women’s national team in March. By November, she was officially committed to representing the U.S. (rather than the Netherlands, where she plays for Ajax) on the international stage. In light of recent retirements of key players, Yohannes is expected to be part of the promising younger generation guiding the U.S. team through qualifying and into the 2027 World Cup.

Notable Mentions

Real Madrid’s forward Endrick; Duke’s player Cooper Flagg; UConn’s guard Azzi Fudd; future NFL star Travis Hunter; skier Lauren Macuga; Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback J.J. McCarthy; Philadelphia Flyers’ winger Matvei Michkov; Manchester United and U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Oklahoma City Thunder’s forward Jalen Williams; Washington Nationals’ outfielder James Wood