Famous Black Sportspersons

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 1 
Kylian Mbappé
(French Football Forward - Considered One of the Best Players in the World)
Kylian Mbappé
57
Birthdate: December 20, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France

Regarded as one of the best footballers of the current generation, Kylian Mbappé became only the second teenager to score a goal in the final game of a World Cup. Known for his explosive speed and dribbling skills, Mbappé made an impact at a young age. Very mature for his age, he also believes in giving back to society.

 2 
Serena Williams
(One of the Greatest Tennis Players of All-Time)
Serena Williams
48
Birthdate: September 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States

With 39 Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals, Serena Williams is clearly amongst the greatest female tennis players in the history. With 23 Grand Slam singles win, she is just a win away from equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam titles. She has bagged the top spot in WTA’s world ranking numerous times.

 3 
Mike Tyson
(One of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers of All Time and First to Simultaneously Hold WBA, WBC & IBF Titles)
Mike Tyson
22
Birthdate: June 30, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Fort Greene, New York, United States

A former professional boxer who reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion for three years, Mike Tyson is considered a colossal figure in boxing. Claiming his first heavyweight title at the young age of 20, he went on to become one of the best heavyweights of all time. Also a controversial person, he was once imprisoned on rape charges.

 4 
Lewis Hamilton
(British Formula One Driver and Winner of Seven World Drivers' Championship Titles)
Lewis Hamilton
80
Birthdate: January 7, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England

The name Lewis Hamilton has become synonymous with Formula One, and such is the greatness of Hamilton. Honoured with MBE by the Queen, Lewis Hamilton is one of the most successful Formula One Grand Prix Racing Driver. Hamilton was the first Black driver to win the Championship and has 6 World Championship titles and 90 race victories to his name.

 5 
Kawhi Leonard
(American Professional Basketball Player and 5-Time NBA All-Star Winner)
Kawhi Leonard
25
Birthdate: June 29, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

A four-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive Team member, Kawhi Leonard has helped two teams win NBA championships while earning the Finals Most Valuable Player award on both THE occasions. In 2015 and 2016, he was named Defensive Player of the Year. Nicknamed the Claw for his amazing ball-hawking skills, Leonard is known for his quiet demeanor off-court.

 6 
Wilt Chamberlain
(One of the Greatest Basketball Players Who Played as a Center)
Wilt Chamberlain
12
Birthdate: August 21, 1936
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: October 12, 1999
One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Wilt Chamberlain created numerous records and won two championships during his fourteen years career. The legendary player, first drafted by Philadelphia Warriors, later played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers. After retirement, he ventured into business, played volleyball, appeared in commercials and movie and even published his autobiography.
 7 
Israel Adesanya
(New Zealand Mixed Martial Artist and Kickboxer)
Israel Adesanya
17
Birthdate: July 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria

Israel Adesanya is a Nigerian-born New Zealand kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and former boxer. Considered one of the best strikers in MMA, Adesanya has won multiple championships and is the current UFC Middleweight Champion. In 2019, Israel Adesanya was named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards.

 8 
Deion Sanders
(Former American Football Player, Coach and Only Athlete to Play in Both 'Super Bowl' and 'World Series')
Deion Sanders
19
Birthdate: August 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fort Myers, Florida, United States

American football player Deion Sanders is considered one of the strongest pass defenders of the game. He was an electrifying athlete and played in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played for teams like Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He is now a coach and a sports analyst. He’s also a rapper.

 

 9 
Russell Westbrook
(American professional Basketball Player Who Plays at the 'Point Guard' Position)
Russell Westbrook
18
Birthdate: November 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States

Russell Westbrook is a professional basketball player. A nine-time NBA All-Star, Russell is only one of two players in the history of the NBA to average a triple-double for an entire season. An eight-time All-NBA Team member, Russell is one of the most athletic NBA players of all time. He also frequently appears in commercials for brands like Air Jordan.

 10 
Bill Russell
(One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time)
Bill Russell
6
Birthdate: February 12, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Died: July 31, 2022

Bill Russell was an American retired professional basketball player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever, Russell led the US national basketball team to victory and helped his team win an Olympic gold at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Also known for his accomplishments in the civil rights movement, Russell was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

 11 
Chris Paul
(One of the Greatest Point Guards of All Time)
Chris Paul
11
Birthdate: May 6, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Chris Paul is a professional basketball player and one of the highest-paid sportspersons in the world. Apart from earning from his career as a basketball player, he also earns by signing endorsement deals with companies like State Farm and Air Jordan. A religious person, Chris Paul attends church whenever possible.

 12 
Anderson Silva
(One of the Best Mixed Martial Artists of All Time)
Anderson Silva
11
Birthdate: April 14, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Brazilian MMA legend Anderson Silva began learning Taekwondo at 12. He holds the record of the longest reign by any UFC title-holder, being the middleweight champion from 2006 to 2013, and also has a record of 16 consecutive wins. He also has black belts in multiple martial art forms.

 13 
Vince Carter
(American Former Professional Basketball Player Who Played as the Shooting Guard / Small Forward )
Vince Carter
7
Birthdate: January 26, 1977
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

Widely regarded as the greatest dunker ever in basketball history, Vince Carter is an American former basketball player. His leaping ability during his playing career often entertained crowds, earning him nicknames like Half Man, Half Amazing and Vinsanity. Also a philanthropist, Carter set up the Embassy of Hope Foundation, which helps children in places like New Jersey, Florida, and Ontario.

 14 
George Foreman
(Two-Time World Heavyweight Champion)
George Foreman
15
Birthdate: January 10, 1949
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Marshall, Texas, United States

Known to his fans as "Big George,” boxer George Foreman won the world heavyweight champion twice and also gas an Olympic gold medal to his credit. Multidimensional in his pursuits, the international boxing hall-of-famer has also been a Christian minister, invented a fat-reducing grill, and written several books, including cookbooks.

 15 
Jon Jones
(American Professional Mixed Martial Artist and Former Two-Time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion)
Jon Jones
7
Birthdate: July 9, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Rochester, New York, United States

Jon Jones, the American professional mixed martial artist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists ever. He holds many Ultimate Fighting Championship records in the light heavyweight division. However, he has been also been involved in several controversies and has been arrested for felony, hit-and-run charges and has tested positive for banned substances.

 16 
Michael Strahan
(Former Professional American Football Player and Television Personality)
Michael Strahan
10
Birthdate: November 21, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States

Michael Strahan is a journalist, television personality, and former professional American football player. Strahan helped the New York Giants, where he spent his entire 15-year National Football League (NFL) career, win the Super Bowl XLII. After retiring from football, Michael Strahan co-hosted the talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan, for which he received a couple of Daytime Emmy Awards.

 17 
Jim Brown
(Football Player)
Jim Brown
9
Birthdate: February 17, 1936
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: St. Simons, Georgia, United States
Died: May 18, 2023
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 18 
Evander Holyfield
(The Only Boxer in the History to Win the Undisputed Championship in Two Weight Classes)
Evander Holyfield
12
Birthdate: October 19, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Atmore, Alabama, United States

Evander Holyfield is an American retired boxer who reigned as the undisputed champion in the late 1980s under cruiserweight division and in the early 1990s under heavyweight division. The only four-time world heavyweight champion, Holyfield remains the only boxer in the history of boxing to reign as an undisputed champion in two weight classes.

 19 
Hakeem Olajuwon
(One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time)
Hakeem Olajuwon
4
Birthdate: January 21, 1963
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria

Hakeem Olajuwon is a former basketball player. Nicknamed The Dream, because of his dream-like ability to dunk effortlessly, Olajuwon is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketballers of all time. Apart from leading the Houston Rockets to two back-to-back NBA championships, Hakeem Olajuwon also helped the US national team win the Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

 20 
Anthony Davis
(American Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as the Power Forward and Centre Positions)
Anthony Davis
9
Birthdate: March 11, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

American professional basketball player, Anthony Davis plays, for the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers. He is the youngest player to score at least 59 points in a NBA game. He was a member of the US men’s national basketball team which participated in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The team was undefeated in London and won the gold medal.

 21 
Isaiah Thomas
(Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as a Point Guard)
Isaiah Thomas
6
Birthdate: February 7, 1989
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Isaiah Thomas, also known as “The Pizza Boy,” plays for the Washington Wizards. He has previously played for teams such as the Sacramento Kings, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He is a two-time NBA All-Star and a two-time First-team All-Pac-10, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.
 22 
Paul George
(American Professional Basketball Player Who Plays at the 'Small Forward' Position)
Paul George
6
Birthdate: May 2, 1990
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Palmdale, California, United States

A six-time NBA All-Star, Paul George has been an important player in the NBA for the last decade or so. Apart from making his presence felt in the NBA, Paul George also played a key role in helping the United States men's national basketball team win Olympic gold in the 2016 Summer Olympics held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 23 
Karl Malone
(Basketball player Power Forward)
Karl Malone
12
Birthdate: July 24, 1963
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Summerfield, Louisiana, United States
Height: 6'9" (206 cm)
 24 
Ray Allen
(Basketball player)
Ray Allen
5
Birthdate: July 20, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Merced, California, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 25 
Hank Aaron
(One of the Greatest Baseball Players in History)
Hank Aaron
7
Birthdate: February 5, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: January 22, 2021

Baseball player Hank Aaron, also known as Hammer or Hammerin' Hank, is remembered for his stint with the MLB teams Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. He also competed as part of the Negro League team Indianapolis Clowns. He was named to The Sporting News 100 Greatest Baseball Players.

 26 
Patrick Ewing
(Jamaican-American Basketball Coach and Former Basketball Player)
Patrick Ewing
7
Birthdate: August 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Patrick Ewing is a Jamaican-American former basketball player who played for popular NBA teams like New York Knicks and Seattle SuperSonics. He also won gold medals at the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games as part of the US men's national basketball teams. In 2008, Patrick Ewing was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

 27 
Tracy McGrady
(7-Time NBA All-Star)
Tracy McGrady
6
Birthdate: May 24, 1979
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bartow, Florida, United States
Height: 6'8" (203 cm)
 28 
Julius Erving
(Basketball player)
Julius Erving
4
Birthdate: February 22, 1950
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: East Meadow, New York, United States
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
 29 
Lawrence Taylor
(Former American football Outside linebacker)
Lawrence Taylor
7
Birthdate: February 4, 1959
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 30 
Patrick Vieira
(French Professional Football Manager and Former Player)
Patrick Vieira
12
Birthdate: June 23, 1976
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal

Patrick Vieira is a football manager and former footballer. Vieira, who was an important member of the France national team, is currently serving as the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club which competes in the Premier League. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his time, Vieira helped his team win its first FIFA World Cup in 1998.

 31 
Roberto Clemente
(Puerto Rican Professional Baseball Right Fielder)
Roberto Clemente
4
Birthdate: August 18, 1934
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico
Died: December 31, 1972

Roberto Clemente was a Puerto Rican baseball player who represented the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball (MLB). Apart from being a popular player, Clemente was also a great humanitarian whose impact is still being felt in MLB. Since his untimely death at the age of 38, Clemente has been the subject of several documentaries, articles, and books.

 32 
Emmitt Smith
(Former American Professional Football Player Who Played in the Running Back Position)
Emmitt Smith
6
Birthdate: May 15, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pensacola, Florida, United States

Emmitt Smith is a former American footballer who helped the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League win three Super Bowl championships between 1993 and 1996. He remains NFL's all-time leading rusher and is the only running back to win a Super Bowl. A humanitarian, Smith is credited with founding a nonprofit organization called the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.

 33 
Barry Bonds
(One of the Greatest Baseball Players of All Time)
Barry Bonds
7
Birthdate: July 24, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riverside, California, United States
Former baseball player Barry Bonds is known for his stints with the MLB teams Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. The seven-time NL MVP-winning and eight-time Gold Glove-winning player once faced trial for use of anabolic steroids. He is a 14-time All Star, he is also a cycling lover.
 34 
Mark Henry
(American Professional Wrestler, Former Powerlifter and Weightlifter)
Mark Henry
14
Birthdate: June 12, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Silsbee, Texas, United States

Mark Henry is an American powerlifter, strongman, Olympic weightlifter, and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearance in WWE, where he was often referred to as the world's strongest man. In 2018, he was made an inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame. A three-time USA National Weightlifting Champion, Henry holds several weightlifting records.

 35 
Caster Semenya
(South African Middle-Distance Runner and Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Caster Semenya
14
Birthdate: January 7, 1991
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pietersburg, South Africa

Two-time Olympic gold medalist middle-distance runner Caster Semenya in an intersex woman, with high testosterone levels. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was asked to take medication to decrease her testosterone levels, to participate in the 2021 Olympics women’s events, and filed a case in the European Court of Human Rights.

 36 
Larry Holmes
(One of the Greatest Heavyweights of All Time)
Larry Holmes
13
Birthdate: November 3, 1949
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuthbert, Georgia, United States

Larry Holmes is an American retired boxer whose left jab is often ranked among the best in the history of professional boxing. Widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of boxing, Holmes' title defense against 19 boxers is the second-most in history. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

 37 
Penny Hardaway
(American College Basketball Coach and Former Professional Player)
Penny Hardaway
9
Birthdate: July 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Penny Hardaway is a college basketball coach who is currently serving as the head coach for the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. A former player, Hardaway played for teams like Miami Heat and New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association where he was a two-time All-NBA First Team member and a four-time NBA All-Star. 

 38 
Albert Pujols
(Dominican–American Professional Baseball First Baseman and Designated Hitter)
Albert Pujols
6
Birthdate: January 16, 1980
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dominican-American baseball player Albert Pujols was a three-time MVP during his 11-year stint with the St. Louis Cardinals. An only child he grew up with an alcoholic father. He has been in the news for his $240 million contract with the LA Angels and for allegedly lying about his age.
 39 
Tyron Woodley
(American Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Tyron Woodley
11
Birthdate: April 7, 1982
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ferguson, Missouri, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 40 
Dikembe Mutombo
(Basketball player)
Dikembe Mutombo
10
Birthdate: June 25, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height: 7'2" (218 cm)
 41 
Charles Woodson
(Football player)
Charles Woodson
8
Birthdate: October 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fremont, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 42 
Moses Malone
(Basketball player)
Moses Malone
7
Birthdate: March 23, 1955
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Petersburg, Virginia, United States
Died: September 13, 2015
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
 43 
Willie Mays
(One of the Best All-Around Players in the History of Baseball)
Willie Mays
4
Birthdate: May 6, 1931
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Westfield, Alabama, United States

Willie Mays is considered one of the all-time greats of baseball. His breathtaking catch of Vic Wertz’s fly ball is etched as a great movement in the history of the sport. Associated with New York / San Francisco Giants for about two decades, the former center fielder with record Major League Football putouts, features in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 44 
Gary Payton
(Former Basketball player who played the point guard position)
Gary Payton
10
Birthdate: July 23, 1968
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 45 
Chris Webber
(Basketball player Power Forward, Businessperson)
Chris Webber
5
Birthdate: March 1, 1973
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
 46 
Carl Lewis
(American Track-and-Field Athlete Who Won Nine Olympic Gold Medals During the 1980s and 1990s)
Carl Lewis
7
Birthdate: July 1, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

A dominant sprinter and long jumper, Carl Lewis has won ten Olympic medals, nine of them gold. From 1981 to 1991, he topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump events, slowly starting to lose his dominance thereafter, eventually retiring in 1997. Currently a businessperson, he has also appeared in films and television productions.

 47 
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
(American Professional Boxer )
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
5
Birthdate: May 23, 1954
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died: March 13, 2021

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was an American boxer and actor who reigned as the middleweight division's undisputed champion from 1980 to 1987, during which he had 12 successful title defenses. Regarded as one of the greatest middleweight boxers of all time, Hagler was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame as well as the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

 48 
Clyde Drexler
(Basketball player)
Clyde Drexler
4
Birthdate: June 22, 1962
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
 49 
Tony Gonzalez
(American Football Player)
Tony Gonzalez
5
Birthdate: February 27, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Torrance, California, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 50 
Bernard Hopkins
(One of the Most Successful Professional Boxers in American History)
Bernard Hopkins
12
Birthdate: January 15, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Bernard Hopkins is an American retired boxer who held several world championships between 2001 to 2012 in two weight classes. Nicknamed The Executioner, Hopkins is widely regarded as one of the modern era's greatest boxers. A highly strategic boxer, Bernard Hopkins was also renowned for his speed, power, and counterpunching skills.