We return to basketball with Wilt Chamberlain at 17th, before Mia Hamm becomes the only soccer player to make the list, highlighting her status as one of the greatest women’s players of all time.

Olympic heroes Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens are sandwiched around arguably the greatest point guard in NBA history, Magic Johnson. Meanwhile, Jim Brown and Bo Jackson round out the bottom half of the list, just narrowly missing out on the top 10.

10

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes period due to his unprecedented success in swimming and his impact on global sport. With 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, he stands as the most-decorated Olympian of all time, surpassing legends across disciplines.

His dominance in the pool, spanning five Olympics, showcased unmatched versatility and endurance, redefining excellence in swimming. Beyond his medal haul, Phelps elevated the sport’s visibility worldwide, inspiring countless athletes and expanding swimming’s global appeal. However, the fact that as a whole, swimming does not appeal to the mainstream in the same way other sports do, harms Phelps’ standing.

9

Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King’s impact extends far beyond the trophies she lifted. Winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, she dominated tennis during the 1960s and 1970s with fierce competitiveness and remarkable skill. Her famous “Battle of the Sexes” victory against Bobby Riggs became a cultural milestone, advancing women’s fight for equality and expanding tennis’ global audience.

King’s tireless advocacy for gender pay equity and LGBTQ+ rights further cemented her as a transformative figure. Without her, other trailblazers, including one that is set to feature later on in this list, may never have impacted women’s tennis in the way they did.

8

LeBron James

LeBron James’ career stands as a model of versatility, longevity, and cultural influence in American sports. A four-time NBA champion and multiple-time MVP, he has consistently excelled across two decades, adapting his game while remaining a dominant force on the court.

His ability to elevate teammates and deliver in critical moments has placed him alongside legends such as Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in basketball history. Beyond statistics and championships, LeBron’s influence reaches globally, with his advocacy for social justice and initiatives, a prime example of how athletes with such power should use it.

7

Jackie Robinson

By breaking baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson became far more than an athlete — he became a symbol of progress in American life. As the first black player in modern Major League Baseball, he endured relentless hostility with resilience, reshaping both the sport and the nation.

His brilliance on the field was undeniable: Rookie of the Year, National League MVP, World Series champion, and six-time All-Star. Those accolades are just short insight into his talent, but the hardships he faced to even get to the point prove Robinson’s mental toughness and only add to his inspiring tale.

6

Tiger Woods

Few athletes have changed the game in an entire sport the way Tiger Woods has transformed golf. Emerging in the late 1990s, he quickly became a global icon, winning 15 Major championships and 82 PGA Tour titles, achievements that rank him among the most successful golfers in history. His dominance combined power, precision, and mental toughness, changing perceptions of the game and inspiring a new, more diverse generation of players.

Despite personal and physical setbacks, his comebacks underscored resilience even if he didn’t always make it back to the top. That said, his 2019 Masters victory after one of the most difficult periods of his life, only adds to the urban legend surrounding the greatest golfer there ever was.

5

Simone Biles

Redefining what is possible in gymnastics, Simone Biles has become a global symbol of excellence and resilience. With 37 World and Olympic medals, she is the most-decorated gymnast in history, her routines marked by difficulty and innovation that few can match. Biles’ dominance has elevated gymnastics’ global profile, inspiring young athletes worldwide and expanding interest in the sport beyond traditional audiences.

Just as significant is her openness about mental health, reshaping conversations around athlete wellbeing and challenging stigma. While many athletes bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the mental toll the pressure on them takes, Biles made it clear exactly what she needed to do to be healthy across all aspects of her life. That, in itself, is perhaps the best lesson she could’ve given any of her young fans.

4

Tom Brady

Dominance in American football is often fleeting, yet Tom Brady sustained it across two decades, becoming a symbol of longevity and competitive drive. As quarterback, he led teams to seven Super Bowl titles and earned three league MVP awards, achievements unmatched in NFL history. His ability to perform under pressure, exemplified by dramatic comebacks, set him apart from peers and solidified his reputation as the ultimate leader on the field.

Brady’s influence extended globally, helping to grow the NFL’s audience and reputation abroad. As a household name, people from across the world would tune in to Super Bowls if his name was remotely linked with it. People joke about American football being for one nation, but Brady’s value is proof that is not the case.

3

Muhammad Ali

Few athletes have combined skill, charisma, and social impact as effectively as the world’s most famous heavyweight boxer of the 20th century. Known for his lightning-fast footwork, powerful punches, and unmatched showmanship, he dominated the ring and won three world heavyweight titles.

Muhammad Ali became a global symbol of courage and conscience, challenging racial inequality and opposing the Vietnam War draft, inspiring millions worldwide. And while footage and memories of his fights may fade over time, what won’t are some of his unique catchphrases. Rarely outside of the world of professional wrestling do you see athletes with such a gift of the gab. Yet, Ali could talk all day and keep a crowd entertained all night with his fights.

2

Serena Williams

Transforming women’s tennis with power, precision, and unmatched competitiveness, the sport saw a global icon emerge in Serena Williams. Dominating for over two decades, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most in the Open Era — alongside 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, showcasing her versatility and longevity. Williams has inspired countless young athletes worldwide, breaking barriers for women and people of colour in sport.

As has been referenced so many times on this list already, the true art of being a great athlete is sustained dominance, and if that was the only criteria for the AI to consider on this list, perhaps Williams would top the charts. However, one man instead has been given the nod.

1

Michael Jordan

Elevating basketball to an international spectacle, the sport found its defining figure in Michael Jordan. His extraordinary athleticism, precision, and competitive intensity propelled the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and earned him five league MVP awards, cementing a legacy unmatched in professional basketball.

Jordan’s influence extended far beyond the court: he transformed sports marketing, inspired generations of athletes, and helped popularise basketball worldwide. Known for his clutch performances and relentless drive, he became a cultural icon whose impact resonates across sport and society.