The 10 biggest athletes currently playing in Los Angeles have made significant contributions to their respective teams, helping them achieve playoff success. Since 2011, teams based in Los Angeles have claimed 11 championships across major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and WNBA:
- NFL: Rams (2022)
- NBA: Lakers (2020)
- NHL: Kings (2014)
- MLB: Dodgers (2020, 2024)
- MLS: Galaxy (2011-12, 2014, 2024), LAFC (2022)
- WNBA: Sparks (2016)
With a roster of stars, the question arises: who stands out as the biggest athlete in L.A.? Here, we present a ranking of the 10 best athletes currently making waves in the City of Angels.
10 best athletes in Los Angeles
James Harden, despite being past his MVP peak, remains a formidable force. As the LA Clippers navigate their season without Kawhi Leonard and following Paul George’s departure, Harden has stepped up. Averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists per game, he earned his 11th All-Star selection in February. In other cities, an 11-time All-Star with MVP accolades would be the talk of the town. However, in Los Angeles, he shares the spotlight with numerous other MVP winners.
Freddie Freeman, a Southern California native, has made his mark since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Atlanta Braves in 2022. His defining moment came in the 2024 World Series, where he hit a walk-off home run in Game 1 and followed it up with homers in the next three games. This historic feat made him the first player to hit home runs in the first four games of a World Series. Freeman’s outstanding performance earned him the World Series MVP title, helping the Dodgers claim victory over the New York Yankees.
At 37 years old, Matthew Stafford continues to be a standout quarterback. He ranks second among active players in career passing yards with 59,809 and touchdowns with 377. Additionally, he holds fourth place all-time for career comebacks with 38, showcasing his resilience and skill on the field.
Mookie Betts, acquired from the Boston Red Sox in 2020, has remained one of the premier players in Major League Baseball during his tenure with the Dodgers. He has consistently ranked in the top five for NL MVP voting when healthy, contributing significantly to two World Series championships. Betts’ performance in the 2020 postseason was instrumental in breaking the Dodgers’ 32-year championship drought.
In the 2023 postseason, Betts maintained his high level of play, finishing with a .290 batting average and four home runs. At 32 years old, he stands out as the only active MLB player with three World Series titles and ranks among the top players in several key statistics.
Mike Trout, while somewhat distanced from his peak performance, is still a significant player. He hit 40 home runs in the 2022 season and has managed to maintain impressive statistics despite injuries. Trout is expected to transition to right field in 2025 to extend his playing career, and he remains one of the all-time greats in MLB history, holding three MVP awards and leading among active players in several metrics.
Luka Doncic’s recent trade to the Los Angeles Lakers has elevated his status significantly. Although he won’t be part of the All-NBA team this season due to injury, Doncic has consistently ranked among the top in points and assists per game throughout his career. His impressive postseason performance in 2024 helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, highlighting his exceptional talent.
LeBron James, often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever, continues to impress at age 40. He remains the all-time leading scorer in the NBA and is having another strong season, ranking in the top 15 for scoring and assists per game. James is on track for his 18th top-10 MVP finish and could secure his 14th All-NBA first-team selection.
Shohei Ohtani made headlines in 2024 by achieving an unprecedented milestone in MLB history: hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. Leading the National League with 54 home runs, he also finished second in stolen bases. Ohtani’s remarkable performance earned him unanimous NL MVP honors, marking him as the first player in North American professional sports to achieve this feat three times. He also celebrated his first World Series title with the Dodgers in 2024, all while taking a break from pitching to recover from elbow surgery.
Honorable mentions
