Next athlete
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NEXT Athlete award is given out every year by ESPN the Magazine to one or more athletes chosen as a future leader or trailblazer in their sport.[1] The winning athlete(s) is featured on the cover of the late January issue of ESPN the Magazine.
Historically, the winners of this award have gone on to exceptional careers, or at the very least early success in their careers, with the exception of a few.
[edit] 2007
2007 nominees include
[edit] Past Winners/Nominees
| Year | Athlete | Follow-Up/Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Kobe Bryant, G, Los Angeles Lakers | Along with Shaquille O'Neal, led the Lakers to three NBA Championships from 2000-2002. Set second highest single game scoring mark with 81 pts scored against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006. |
| Alex Rodriguez, SS, Seattle Mariners | Two-time AL MVP, Signed the largest contract in MLB History | |
| Kordell Stewart, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers | Never achieved QB rating higher than 82.8 as a starter | |
| Eric Lindros, C, Philadelphia Flyers | Six-time all-star, Hart Memorial Trophy recipient for MVP | |
| 1999 | Keith Van Horn, F, Philadelphia 76ers | 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting behind Tim Duncan. Had moderately successful career with five different teams |
| Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings | Five-time Pro Bowler; Set records for touchdowns and receiving yards for a rookie | |
| 2000 | Vince Carter, G/F, Toronto Raptors | 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year. 2000 Slam Dunk Contest Champion. Seven-time All-Star |
| 2001 | Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets | #1 NBA Draft Pick, Four-time All-Star |
| 2002 | Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears | 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2003 | LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers | #1 Overall NBA Draft Pick. Rookie of the Year. 2006 All Star Game MVP (youngest ever). |
| 2004 | Kazuo Matsui, SS, New York Mets | Batted .255 for the Mets before being cut. |
| 2005 | Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma Sooners | Heisman candidate as a freshman while setting NCAA freshman rushing record |
| 2006 | Reggie Bush, RB, USC Trojans | Heisman Winner, #2 NFL Draft Pick |
| Vince Young, QB, Texas Longhorns | Led Texas to NCAA Championship in 2006 Rose Bowl; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year | |
| Michelle Wie, Professional Golfer | Youngest person to qualify for PGA or LPGA event | |
| U.S. Soccer Team | Failed to advance to the Round-of-16 at the 2006 World Cup after losing to Ghana |
