Editorial Editor
Professional athletes are world famous. People like Tom Brady and Lionel Messi are household names for good reason — they are some of the best at what they do. But what about in high school athletes? For many teenage athletes, sports are not just for fun. From world championships to record-breaking accomplishments that could qualify them for the Olympics, many individuals across the US find themselves competing at an elite level with a teenage social life. Here are some of the most impressive athletes of 2023 who have yet to enter college.
Alyssa Thompson: This California-raised forward initially committed to Stanford University for soccer at age 15, but she later decommitted to enter the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League draft. At just 18 years old, she made her first appearance on the national stage with Angel City Football Club on Mar. 26 and scored a goal 11 minutes in. Coaches pulled Thompson up to the senior United States Women’s National Team in 2022, and she has made two appearances. Her sister, Gisele, plays soccer for the U17 National Team. Alyssa and Gisele became the first high school athletes to sign a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike.
Lex and Leo Young: Likely the most social-media savvy runners, these identical twins will grace the track one last time for their senior year before heading off to Stanford University in the fall. In 2022, Leo ran a sub-four minute mile (3:59.32). Not to be outdone, Lex clinched the California cross country title, with Leo finishing second. Both brothers have around 45 thousand Instagram followers each, and they co-run a Youtube channel called L&L that documents their high school racing experience and everyday lives.
Isaiah Collier: This Wheeler High School point guard is widely regarded as one of the top recruits of the class of 2023. The 6’ 3” athlete averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals per game as a junior. After receiving offers from the University of Michigan, Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, Tennessee, and Cincinnati, Collier decided to fight on with the USC Trojans.
Max Clark: Recently named to the US U18 baseball team, Clark is a top prospect for the 2023 MLB draft. He is currently committed to Vanderbilt University. The Indiana teen throws a fastball at a whopping 92 mph, and Prep Baseball named him their 2022 Player of the Year. At 6’1” and 198 lbs, his 60 yd time of 6.47 seconds is astounding and places him well below the average of 6.9 seconds for an 18-year-old.
Keep an eye out for these rising teenage stars!
(Sources: US Soccer, 24/7 Sports, MaxPreps, SportsAlizer, Prep Baseball Report, MileSplit, Scorebook Live)
Categories: National Sports, Sports