Top 30 Freak Athletes

Russell Westbrook

The sheer speed, quickness and agility of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s underappreciated point guard are almost unmeasurable. He goes from standing still to full speed and over three feet off the ground in less than a second. The things he’s able to do on a basketball court defy logic and he makes it look easy.

Russell Westbrook

The sheer speed, quickness and agility of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s underappreciated point guard are almost unmeasurable. He goes from standing still to full speed and over three feet off the ground in less than a second. The things he’s able to do on a basketball court defy logic and he makes it look easy.

Calvin Johnson

No receiver in all of football is more feared or respected than the man they call Megatron. The catches Johnson is able to make with multiple defenders draped all over him are seemingly impossible, yet he makes them so regularly that his greatness has become expected.

Calvin Johnson

No receiver in all of football is more feared or respected than the man they call Megatron. The catches Johnson is able to make with multiple defenders draped all over him are seemingly impossible, yet he makes them so regularly that his greatness has become expected.

LeBron James

The man who gave himself the nickname King James is arguably the greatest human specimen in the world. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, LeBron shouldn’t be able to move like he does, which includes the speed of a world-class sprinter, the quickness of a jungle cat and the grace of a gazelle. Add in superhuman strength and balance and you’ve got the most athletic man on the planet.

LeBron James

The man who gave himself the nickname King James is arguably the greatest human specimen in the world. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, LeBron shouldn’t be able to move like he does, which includes the speed of a world-class sprinter, the quickness of a jungle cat and the grace of a gazelle. Add in superhuman strength and balance and you’ve got the most athletic man on the planet.

Kerri Walsh Jennings

The duo of Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings is one of the most dominant in the history of beach volleyball. They won gold at three straight Olympics and three other World Championships in between. A big reason for that were the unnaturally fantastic plays by the 6-foot-2 Walsh Jennings. The diving digs and jumping, body-contorting spikes she made were things not done by normal athletes.

Kerri Walsh Jennings

The duo of Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings is one of the most dominant in the history of beach volleyball. They won gold at three straight Olympics and three other World Championships in between. A big reason for that were the unnaturally fantastic plays by the 6-foot-2 Walsh Jennings. The diving digs and jumping, body-contorting spikes she made were things not done by normal athletes.

Ryan Miller

The Vancouver Canucks’ goalie has been making crazy saves between the pipes since the late 1990s because of his incredible athleticism. The way he contorts his body to make acrobatic saves is an ability that few others humans share and it earned him a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Ryan Miller

The Vancouver Canucks’ goalie has been making crazy saves between the pipes since the late 1990s because of his incredible athleticism. The way he contorts his body to make acrobatic saves is an ability that few others humans share and it earned him a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins fans know they have one thing to look forward to each game: This 6-foot-6, 240-pound freak of nature who crushes baseballs without breaking a sweat and makes playing the outfield look easy.

Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins fans know they have one thing to look forward to each game: This 6-foot-6, 240-pound freak of nature who crushes baseballs without breaking a sweat and makes playing the outfield look easy.

Adrian Peterson

No one should be able to come back from an ACL tear in nine months and then come within nine yards of breaking the NFL’s single-season rushing record on an average team. Yet that’s exactly what AD did…and he made it look easy. And let’s not forget the fact he’s too tall to do what he does as a running back. Yeah, his athleticism is off the charts.

Adrian Peterson

No one should be able to come back from an ACL tear in nine months and then come within nine yards of breaking the NFL’s single-season rushing record on an average team. Yet that’s exactly what AD did…and he made it look easy. And let’s not forget the fact he’s too tall to do what he does as a running back. Yeah, his athleticism is off the charts.

Hope Solo

Although she’s made headlines off the field for her looks and trouble at home, Solo is still an exceptional goalkeeper who makes saves that even some male goalies couldn’t. Her ability to jump with exceptional timeliness and quickness is a big reason why she has two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

Hope Solo

Although she’s made headlines off the field for her looks and trouble at home, Solo is still an exceptional goalkeeper who makes saves that even some male goalies couldn’t. Her ability to jump with exceptional timeliness and quickness is a big reason why she has two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

DeAndre Jordan

It’s incredible how this Los Angeles Clippers star moves with his body size: 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds. His ferocious dunks and tenacity on defense make him one of the most intense players in the NBA.

DeAndre Jordan

It’s incredible how this Los Angeles Clippers star moves with his body size: 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds. His ferocious dunks and tenacity on defense make him one of the most intense players in the NBA.

Evgeni Malkin

Like many of the athletes on this list, Malkin has a terrific combination of size and speed to complement his skills on the ice. Like LeBron James with the basketball, Malkin is incredibly hard to separate from the puck and he knows how to use his 6-foot-3, 215-pound body to his advantage.

Evgeni Malkin

Like many of the athletes on this list, Malkin has a terrific combination of size and speed to complement his skills on the ice. Like LeBron James with the basketball, Malkin is incredibly hard to separate from the puck and he knows how to use his 6-foot-3, 215-pound body to his advantage.

Kenneth Faried

There aren’t many guys who are 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds and move like this Denver Nuggets youngster. He makes high flying, highlight reel-worthy plays on a regular basis just because of his athleticism.

Kenneth Faried

There aren’t many guys who are 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds and move like this Denver Nuggets youngster. He makes high flying, highlight reel-worthy plays on a regular basis just because of his athleticism.

Usain Bolt

Most sprinters aren’t 6-foot-5 and none have legs as long as Bolt’s. Winning the 100-meter dash takes incredible leg strength for timely takeoffs, but Bolt defies logic and fundamentals with the way he sets world records…with ease. The way he’s able to accelerate past his competitors between the 30- and 60-meter marks is something that has never been seen before, and probably won’t ever be seen again.

Usain Bolt

Most sprinters aren’t 6-foot-5 and none have legs as long as Bolt’s. Winning the 100-meter dash takes incredible leg strength for timely takeoffs, but Bolt defies logic and fundamentals with the way he sets world records…with ease. The way he’s able to accelerate past his competitors between the 30- and 60-meter marks is something that has never been seen before, and probably won’t ever be seen again.

Candace Parker

Who says girls can’t dunk? The Los Angeles Sparks’ superstar has been popping rims since her days at the University of Tennessee and she can do everything else on a basketball court that most 6-foot-4 women can’t. Parker is a rare specimen in women’s athletics and that’s why she’s so dominant in the WNBA.

Candace Parker

Who says girls can’t dunk? The Los Angeles Sparks’ superstar has been popping rims since her days at the University of Tennessee and she can do everything else on a basketball court that most 6-foot-4 women can’t. Parker is a rare specimen in women’s athletics and that’s why she’s so dominant in the WNBA.

Mario Williams

As an NFL pass rusher who measures 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Williams shouldn’t be able to move like he does. Yet the Buffalo Bills’ All-Pro defensive end is able to go through offensive linemen with his brute strength or go around them with his exceptional quickness and, with a body like his, that’s a scary thought for offensive players carrying the ball.

Mario Williams

As an NFL pass rusher who measures 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Williams shouldn’t be able to move like he does. Yet the Buffalo Bills’ All-Pro defensive end is able to go through offensive linemen with his brute strength or go around them with his exceptional quickness and, with a body like his, that’s a scary thought for offensive players carrying the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo

He may not be the most likable player in the world, but Ronaldo’s athleticism can’t be argued. He has incredible speed, strength and quickness for an athlete of any size and he uses that to dominate opponents on the soccer field.

Cristiano Ronaldo

He may not be the most likable player in the world, but Ronaldo’s athleticism can’t be argued. He has incredible speed, strength and quickness for an athlete of any size and he uses that to dominate opponents on the soccer field.

Andre Iguodala

He’s been in the league for over a decade and yet “Iggy” just keeps making plays that most human beings – even other star NBA players – simply couldn’t physically make.

Andre Iguodala

He’s been in the league for over a decade and yet “Iggy” just keeps making plays that most human beings – even other star NBA players – simply couldn’t physically make.

Mike Trout

There’s a reason why the Los Angeles Angels’ star outfielder won an MVP award at the young age of 22 – he’s a freak athlete. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Trout looks more like an average NFL linebacker, but he has crazy speed, strength and agility that has allowed him to hit over .300 for his career and make some crazy catches in the outfield that even smaller, more nimbler players couldn’t.

Mike Trout

There’s a reason why the Los Angeles Angels’ star outfielder won an MVP award at the young age of 22 – he’s a freak athlete. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Trout looks more like an average NFL linebacker, but he has crazy speed, strength and agility that has allowed him to hit over .300 for his career and make some crazy catches in the outfield that even smaller, more nimbler players couldn’t.

Rick Nash

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Nash is a big, strong, fast skater who uses his monstrous frame to protect the puck. His quickness allows him to break away and his brute strength lets him overpower other players to get off timely shots.

Rick Nash

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Nash is a big, strong, fast skater who uses his monstrous frame to protect the puck. His quickness allows him to break away and his brute strength lets him overpower other players to get off timely shots.

Serena Williams

The tennis star’s size and power shouldn’t allow her to be as quick and graceful as she is, but those are the primary reasons why she’s won each of the four Grand Slam events multiple times and been at or near the No. 1 World Ranking for the past 15 years.

Serena Williams

The tennis star’s size and power shouldn’t allow her to be as quick and graceful as she is, but those are the primary reasons why she’s won each of the four Grand Slam events multiple times and been at or near the No. 1 World Ranking for the past 15 years.

J.J. Watt

If his sheer dominance as an NFL pass-rusher isn’t enough, the fact Watt can box jump 60 inches puts him on this list. That’s five feet for those of you who aren’t good at math. No 6-foot-5, 300-pound man should be able to do that, but Watt isn’t a regular 6-foot-5, 300-pound man.

J.J. Watt

If his sheer dominance as an NFL pass-rusher isn’t enough, the fact Watt can box jump 60 inches puts him on this list. That’s five feet for those of you who aren’t good at math. No 6-foot-5, 300-pound man should be able to do that, but Watt isn’t a regular 6-foot-5, 300-pound man.

Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs’ new young star has it all, including monster-sized hands. He fly high with the best of them and he can distort his body in midair to make plays on defense that leave spectators in awe.

Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs’ new young star has it all, including monster-sized hands. He fly high with the best of them and he can distort his body in midair to make plays on defense that leave spectators in awe.

Andrew McCutchen

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ star is batting almost .300 for his big-league CAREER and his incredibly acrobatic diving catches have become the norm for the PNC Park faithful.

Andrew McCutchen

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ star is batting almost .300 for his big-league CAREER and his incredibly acrobatic diving catches have become the norm for the PNC Park faithful.

Blake Griffin

To jump as high as Griffin jumps while contorting his body in midair to catch the ball and then contort again to dunk the ball all in about the span of a second takes unmeasurable athleticism that can only be described with one word: freakish.

Blake Griffin

To jump as high as Griffin jumps while contorting his body in midair to catch the ball and then contort again to dunk the ball all in about the span of a second takes unmeasurable athleticism that can only be described with one word: freakish.

Coco Ho

One doesn’t rack up 18 career victories by age 24 in the surfing world without some serious athleticism. The Hawaiian native is able to not only ride a surfboard exceptionally well, but also use her body in ways most human beings can’t fathom to win competitions designed for only the most athletic people on the planet.

Coco Ho

One doesn’t rack up 18 career victories by age 24 in the surfing world without some serious athleticism. The Hawaiian native is able to not only ride a surfboard exceptionally well, but also use her body in ways most human beings can’t fathom to win competitions designed for only the most athletic people on the planet.

Vernon Davis

No player with Davis’ size should be able to run 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash and record a vertical leap of 42 inches, but that’s exactly what the San Francisco 49ers’ freakishly athletic tight end can do. For his size, Davis can move exceptionally well in a lot of ways, not just sheer speed. Some of the athletic catches he makes in games should only be made by smaller players, yet Davis makes it look easy.

Vernon Davis

No player with Davis’ size should be able to run 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash and record a vertical leap of 42 inches, but that’s exactly what the San Francisco 49ers’ freakishly athletic tight end can do. For his size, Davis can move exceptionally well in a lot of ways, not just sheer speed. Some of the athletic catches he makes in games should only be made by smaller players, yet Davis makes it look easy.

Serge Ibaka

The Oklahoma City Thunder knew what they were doing when they picked this athletic freak from the Republic of Congo. He averaged almost three blocks per game because he’s able to warp his body while moving very quickly to get his hands on the ball when it’s being released by even the NBA’s best shooters.

Serge Ibaka

The Oklahoma City Thunder knew what they were doing when they picked this athletic freak from the Republic of Congo. He averaged almost three blocks per game because he’s able to warp his body while moving very quickly to get his hands on the ball when it’s being released by even the NBA’s best shooters.

Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers’ exceptionally talented point guard gets off shots over bigger, taller defenders because he’s a freak athlete. With insane quickness and a crazy 40-inch vertical, Lillard is able to take a jab step to throw off his defender for a split second, which is just enough time for him to elevate to unreal heights and knock down big-time shots. Just ask the 2013-14 Houston Rockets…

Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers’ exceptionally talented point guard gets off shots over bigger, taller defenders because he’s a freak athlete. With insane quickness and a crazy 40-inch vertical, Lillard is able to take a jab step to throw off his defender for a split second, which is just enough time for him to elevate to unreal heights and knock down big-time shots. Just ask the 2013-14 Houston Rockets…

Max Pacioretty

He doesn’t look like a monster at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, but his body does things that most players his size can’t. He can box jump 57 inches and he uses that explosiveness on the ice to get away and go around other players.

Max Pacioretty

He doesn’t look like a monster at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, but his body does things that most players his size can’t. He can box jump 57 inches and he uses that explosiveness on the ice to get away and go around other players.

Ronda Rousey

There’s a reason why Rousey is undefeated as a female UFC fighter: She’s a freak athlete. Rousey has exceptional strength and quickness for a fighter of any size and that keeps her dominant in the ring against any opponent. Her physique has also earned her bikini modeling spreads in several major publications.

Ronda Rousey

There’s a reason why Rousey is undefeated as a female UFC fighter: She’s a freak athlete. Rousey has exceptional strength and quickness for a fighter of any size and that keeps her dominant in the ring against any opponent. Her physique has also earned her bikini modeling spreads in several major publications.

P.K. Subban

The Montreal Canadiens’ exceptionally talented defenseman can move around the ice like some of the quickest players on a basketball court. He’s able to make cuts and spins that shouldn’t be possible in skates and he’s really fun to watch.

P.K. Subban

The Montreal Canadiens’ exceptionally talented defenseman can move around the ice like some of the quickest players on a basketball court. He’s able to make cuts and spins that shouldn’t be possible in skates and he’s really fun to watch.