Youngest Athletes to Dominate Their Sport

In his first year in the NBA, Luka Dončić put himself in elite company. The Dallas Mavericks rookie became just the fourth teenager in NBA history to average 20 points per game, joining LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant. Dončić‘s 21.2 point per game average his rookie season is actually the highest among that group. The young Slovenian also posted 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, winning Rookie of the Year.

Mike Trout can do it all on the baseball diamond, and he’s been doing it since he was a rookie. His first full season in 2012, the Los Angeles Angels center fielder hit .326 and led the majors with 49 stolen bases. He also scored 129 runs, more than any other player. In that season, Trout posted a 10.5 WAR, meaning he helped his team earn 10.5 more wins than a replacement-level player at his position would have. At age 20, he was the youngest player in MLB history to break 10 WAR for a season. Trout won Rookie of the Year and finished second in MVP voting.

Oscar Robertson was one of the most versatile basketball players in history. Though he played point guard, he could score like a shooting guard and rebound like a center. In his rookie season, Robertson scored a staggering 30.5 points per game to go along with 10.1 rebounds and an NBA-leading 9.7 assists. Robertson not only made the All-Star team that year, but also won the All-Star Game MVP.

NFL quarterback may be the most difficult position to learn in professional sports, but Patrick Mahomes mastered it in just his first season as a starter. After sitting on the bench for his rookie year, the Kansas City Chiefs QB came in and dominated in year two. He led the league in touchdown passes with 50, and threw for over 5,000 yards on his way to NFL MVP.

Rick Nash was the first overall draft pick in the 2002 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. His selection paid off soon, as Nash won the Richard Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goal scorer, in just his second pro season. Nash lit the lamp 41 times in his second season. He was especially lethal on power plays, scoring 19 power play goals to lead the league.