Advertisement

Close this content

Can You Guess Which Famous Athletes These Babies Grew Up to Be?

People

January 15, 2020 at 2:03 PM

Can You Guess Which Famous Athletes These Babies Grew Up to Be?

<strong>Hint:</strong> He grew to be over 7-ft. tall, dabbled in hip-hop as a rapper and was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame alongside Allen Iverson.

If <a href="https://people.com/tag/shaquille-oneal/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shaquille O'Neal;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shaquille O'Neal </a>did not instantly come to mind after reading those hints, you may need your NBA fan card revoked. Fun fact: You can still stream Shaq's platinum debut album <em>Shaq Diesel</em> on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2oPRn2Dp9Ytk3A4JCp5Gqw?si=ntxYBP_-SCyNP8ibNpSeaA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Spotify;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spotify</a>.

<strong>Hint:</strong> This two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion is the youngest of three kids and built her illustrious career on ice. Superfan Jonathan Van Ness from <em>Queer Eye</em> most famously uploaded a video clip of himself sobbing after learning that she had followed him on Instagram.

The cutie in the previous photo grew to become Olympic ice skater <a href="https://people.com/tag/michelle-kwan/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Michelle Kwan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Michelle Kwan</a>, and the must-see clip of JVN losing it on Instagram can be seen <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqTxCShBsF/?hl=en" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">here</a>.

<strong>Hint:</strong> The now-father of three has a swimming career so prolific, it borders on Greek mythology. In 2008, he won a record-breaking eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, and made him the first swimmer to ever be named <em>Sports Illustrated</em>'s sportsman of the year.

We doubt baby <a href="https://people.com/tag/michael-phelps/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Michael Phelps;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Michael Phelps</a> knew he would grow up to be so freaking good at swimming. Now that he has <a href="https://people.com/parents/michael-phelps-wife-nicole-welcome-son-maverick-nicolas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:three little boys with wife Nicole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">three little boys with wife Nicole</a>, who knows which child out of the bunch will continue dad's legacy.

<strong>Hint:</strong> Don't be fooled by her small size. This tiny toddler, seen wrapping her arms around her younger sister, has now won 25 World Championship medals, which is the highest number of championship medals won by any gymnast, EVER.

Let it be known that <a href="https://people.com/tag/simone-biles/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Simone Biles;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Simone Biles</a> will forever live on in gymnastics history as one of the best — if not the best — gymnasts this world has ever seen.

<strong>Hint:</strong> From ball boy beginnings to winning eight Wimbledon trophies, this youngster eventually set the record of being the oldest male tennis player to be ranked at No. 1 in the world at the age of 36.

The tennis star we're spotlighting here is <a href="https://people.com/tag/roger-federer/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Roger Federer;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Roger Federer</a>, who told <a href="https://people.com/sports/roger-federer-says-hell-always-be-ball-boy-at-heart/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Tennis TV;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>Tennis TV</em></a> in 2019 that, "At heart, I'm always gonna be a ball boy."

<strong>Hint:</strong> She's got a silly side, but her appetite for competition is no joke. She's now a proud three-time Olympic medalist who recently got engaged to another athlete who loves winter sports.

Have a need for speed? Retired alpine skier Lindsey Vonn definitely does. She's also <a href="https://people.com/sports/lindsey-vonn-engaged-pk-subban/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:set to wed hockey player P.K. Subban;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">set to wed hockey player P.K. Subban</a> after <a href="https://people.com/sports/lindsey-vonn-proposes-to-fiance-p-k-subban-christmas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:proposing to him;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">proposing to him</a> over Christmas last year.

<strong>Hint:</strong> This adorable baby grew to become known as "The Chosen One." He was drafted into the NBA straight from high school and has gone on to win three NBA Championships — two with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Athlete to Author! LeBron James to Release First Children's Book, I Promise — See the Cover

Kobe Bryant (here in a throwback photo with big sister Shaya, one of his two siblings) was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 23, 1978, to mom Pamela Cox Bryant and father Joe Bryant, a former NBA player, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Diego Clippers and the Houston Rockets. He spent much of his childhood in Italy, where his father moved the family after he retired from the NBA and began playing abroad, and moved back to the U.S. in 1991.

If you guessed <a href="https://people.com/sports/kobe-bryant-throwback-photos/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Black Mamba;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Black Mamba</a>, Kobe Wan Kenobi or K.B.-24, you guessed right. You can see <a href="https://people.com/sports/kobe-bryant-lakers-jerseys-retire/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:both of Kobe Bryant's retired jerseys;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">both of Kobe Bryant's retired jerseys</a> — No. 8 and No. 24 — hanging right below other iconic Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain.

<strong>Hint:</strong> This cutie patootie eventually won gold for killing it on the balance beam at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Even though she has retired from her sport, she's taken on a whole new role balancing entrepreneurship and mommyhood.

Say hello to Olympic gymnast <a href="https://people.com/tag/shawn-johnson/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shawn Johnson;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shawn Johnson</a>, who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named <a href="https://people.com/parents/shawn-johnson-welcomes-first-child-daughter-andrew-east/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Drew Hazel;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Drew Hazel</a> in November 2019. Johnson clinched four medals during the 2008 <a href="https://people.com/tag/summer-olympics/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Summer Olympics;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Summer Olympics</a> with the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in Beijing and her fame continued to soar <a href="https://people.com/tv/shawn-johnson-upsets-gilles-marini-for-dancing-title/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:when she won her season;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">when she won her season</a> of <a href="https://people.com/tag/dancing-with-the-stars/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dancing with the Stars;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>Dancing with the Stars</em></a> in 2009, after famously missing her prom to compete on the show.

<strong>Hint:</strong> His real name is and he's considered one of the most famous athletes of all time. He also holds the title of most PGA Tour wins in history (82 to be exact), with the late Sam Snead.

Tiger Woods Is a 'Different Man' 10 Years After Scandal: 'He Is in the Best Place He's Ever Been'

Test your sports knowledge to see if you can call yourself a true fan of these legendary stars

SportsYahoo Sports
NFL Draft: Packers fan upset with team's 1st pick, and Lions fans hilariously rubbed it in
Not everyone was thrilled with their team's draft on Thursday night.
15h ago
SportsYahoo Sports
NFL Draft fashion: Caleb Williams, Malik Nabers dressed to impress, but Marvin Harrison Jr.'s medallion stole the show
Every player was dressed to impress at the 2024 NFL Draft.
17h ago
BusinessYahoo Finance
Jamie Dimon is worried the US economy is headed back to the 1970s
JPMorgan's CEO is concerned the US economy could be in for a repeat of the stagflation that hampered the country during the 1970s.
3d ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Broncos, Jets, Lions and Texans have new uniforms. Let's rank them
Which new uniforms are winners this season?
2d ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Based on the odds, here's what the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft will be
What would a mock draft look like using just betting odds?
4d ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Korey Cunningham, former NFL lineman, found dead in New Jersey home at age 28
Cunningham played 31 games in the NFL with the Cardinals, Patriots and Giants.
2h ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Widely available players ready to help your squad
Andy Behrens has a fresh batch of priority pickups for fantasy managers looking to close out the week in strong fashion.
7h ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Luka makes Clippers look old, Suns are in big trouble & a funeral for Lakers | Good Word with Goodwill
Vincent Goodwill and Tom Haberstroh break down last night’s NBA Playoffs action and preview several games for tonight and tomorrow.
2d ago
SportsYahoo Sports
Dave McCarty, player on 2004 Red Sox championship team, dies 1 week after team's reunion
The Red Sox were already mourning the loss of Tim Wakefield from that 2004 team.
6d ago
EntertainmentYahoo TV
Everyone's still talking about the 'SNL' Beavis and Butt-Head sketch. Cast members and experts explain why it's an instant classic.
Ryan Gosling, who starred in the skit, couldn't keep a straight face — and neither could some of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.
3d ago