The All-Time Best Athletes From St. Louis, Ranked

30 David Freese
IIs David Freese the best player in St. Louis history? Admittedly, no. But he’s a St. Louis hero and Wildwood native, who led his hometown Cardinals to their most recent World Series championship, hitting .396 during the playoffs and winning World Series MVP.

29 Niele Ivey
Niele Ivey led Cor Jesu Academy to a 31-0 state run during high school, before earning All-American honors at the University of Notre Dame and playing five years in the WNBA.

28 Lawyer Milloy
During his 15-year career as an NFL safety, Lawyer Milloy compiled four Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. He did, though, play on the 2001 New England Patriots team that defeated the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl.

27 Larry Hughes
Over his 13-year NBA career, Larry Hughes, the former Saint Louis University star, played in 727 regular season games and averaged 14 points per game.

26 Lori Chalupny
Lori Chalupny was part of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team that won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, totaling 106 appearances over her career. She now serves as the head coach at Maryville University.

25 Tim Ream
Tim Ream has spent the last seven years playing for Fulham in the Premier League. He is one of two St. Louis natives currently representing the U.S. in the 2022 World Cup –– his 12th year with the national team.

24 Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks found fame in his eighth professional fight when he defeated Muhammad Ali, making him the quickest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

23 Bradley Beal
A three-time All-Star, Beal is one of the best scorers in the NBA, averaging 22.1 points per game over his 10-year career.

22 Chuck McKinley
Chuck McKinley won the 1963 Wimbledon singles championship en route to a No.1 world ranking. He was also a three-time U.S. Open doubles champion.

21 Tyron Woodley
A Ferguson native, Tyron Woodley was a two-time All-American at Mizzou and a UFC fighter who held the UFC Welterweight Championship for three years.

20 Gwen Berry
Gwen Berry is a three-time U.S. Indoor Track and Field Champion, who holds the record in the weight throw and ranks seventh all-time in the hammer throw.

19 Taylor Twellman
Taylor Twellman, a five-time MLS all-star and U.S. Men’s National Team member, was one of the best players in American soccer during a seven-year period with the New England Revolution, where he scored the most goals of any player.

18 Dawn Harper-Nelson
Dawn Harper-Nelson, a two-time Olympic medalist, won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 100-meter hurdles.

17 Ezekiel Elliott
The former John Burroughs standout has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the past seven years.

16 Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard, a Lafayette High School graduate, spent 14 years smashing home runs against the Cardinals as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, winning an MVP and World Series championship.

15 Michael Spinks
Though Michael Spinks might have less fame than his brother Leon, Michael arguably had a more successful boxing career, garnering two world championships and compiling a 31-1 record before retiring in 1988.

14 Becky Sauerbrunn
Becky Sauerbrunn, the current captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, has nearly 211 international appearances since 2008.

13 Al Trost
After leading Saint Louis University to two national championship appearances, Al Trost went on to play for the U.S. Men’s National Team on the 1972 Olympic team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

12 Judy Rankin
Pro-golfer Judy Rankin won 26 tour events over her 21-year career and was twice voted the LPGA Player of the Year.

11 Ed Macauley
Over his 10-year NBA career during the 1950s, Macaulay made seven All-Star games and earned a spot in the professional basketball Hall of Fame. He also led the St. Louis Hawks to the city’s only professional basketball championship.