Ranking of the best pro athletes of all time

by KC Wallace Staff Writer

Great athletes exist in every sport. Over time, certain athletes emerge as the greatest to ever play their sport. From basketball, football, hockey, athletes have dominated their sport, making it look easy. Here are my five greatest athletes of all time. #5.

Lebron James is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. He was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom he would play for up until 2010, before joining the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014. Lebron led the Heat to back-toback championships in 2012 and 2013. He would return to the Cavs from 2014 to 2018 and would win the championship in 2016, along with winning Finals MVP.

In 2018, Lebron joined the Lakers where he would win a championship and a Finals MVP in 2020. Across his career, James is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP, and a four-time NBA MVP. Lebron is also the leading scorer in NBA history.

Tom Brady is a former NFL quarterback who played for 23 seasons. He played with the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2019, winning six Super Bowls. He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he would spend his final three seasons, and won a Super Bowl his first year there.

Across his career, Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time NFL MVP.

On Feb. 1, 2023, Brady announced that he was retiring “for good.” Brady is now eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028. Brady retired with the most career touchdowns thrown (649), and the most career passing yards (89,214)

#3. MICHAEL JORDAN

Along with Lebron, Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan was selected third overall in the 1984 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, where he would play from 1984 to 1993, until announcing his retirement in 1994, saying he was not motivated to play.

However, Jordan returned to the Bulls in 1995 up until 1998. Jordan then had a three-year stint with the Washington

Wizards in 2003. Jordan was a six-time NBA champion, a six-time Finals MVP, and was voted NBA MVP five times.

#2. WAYNE GRETZKY

Wayne Gretzky is a former ice hockey player who played for 20 seasons from 19791999 with four different teams (Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers). Gretzky is considered the greatest hockey player of all time, earning the nickname, “The Great One.” He holds (or shares) a total of 61 NHL records. Gretzky holds the record for most goals (894), most points scored (2,857), and most assists (1,963). Gretzky also has more assists than the second highest points scorer, Jaromir Jagr (1,921). After his retirement in 1999, Gretzky was immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame.

#1. MICHAEL PHELPS

Michael Phelps is a former competitive swimmer. He is the most successful Olympian of all time winning a total of 28 medals. Phelps holds the all time record for Olympic gold medals (23). He also holds the record for most Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and

Olympic medals in individual events (16). Phelps has won a total of 82 medals in international long course competitions, with 65 being gold. Phelps has recorded a total of 39 world records, which is more than any other swimmer. Phelps is also an eight-time World Swimmer of the Year, an 11-time American Swimmer of the year, and was the 2008 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.