15 Athletes Who Started Playing Sports Late

By Tyler

Athletes Who Began Playing Sports Late

TimDuncan — Most people believe that ll athletes begin playing sports right out of the womb, practicing their craft at all times. This certainly isn't true though, and these 15 athletes prove that you can start playing sports left and still be a star at the highest levels.

15. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan late bloomer

15. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan late bloomer — Duncan transitioned from swimming to playing basketball while in high school, with the end result being five NBA Titles with the San Antonio Spurs and a locked up spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

14. Michael Oher

Michael Oher late bloomer

14. Michael Oher

Michael Oher late bloomer — The story of Michael Oher was laid out in the film The Blind Side, as he went from struggling teenager to playing high school football. The story certainly didn't stop in high school though, as Oher starred for Ole Miss from 2005-2008 and in the NFL since.

13. Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan late bloomer

13. Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan late bloomer — Morgan did not begin playing soccer until the age of 13, but she took to the game quickly and is now the premier striker for the USWNT.

12. Ian Wright

ian wright late bloomer

12. Ian Wright

ian wright late bloomer — Wright was stuck playing amateur soccer until just prior to his 22nd birthday, when he was signed to play for Crystal Palace. This signing turned out to be a brilliant move, as Wright starred for Palace and Arsenal from 1985-1998.

11. Nate Quarry

nate quarry late bloomer

11. Nate Quarry

nate quarry late bloomer — Quarry did not compete in any organized sports until the age of 24, but he quickly became drawn to MMA at this point in his life. Quarry would make his MMA debut at the age of 29, and had a 12-4 career while fighting professionally.

10. Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo late bloomer

10. Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo late bloomer — Mutombo did not begin playing competitive basketball until he became a student at Georgetown University. Of course, he was a quick study in the sport, starring for Georgetown and then becoming an eight-time NBA All-Star.

9. Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham late bloomer

9. Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham late bloomer — Graham began playing football after four years on the University of Miami basketball team, but took quickly to the sport and has become one of the top tight ends in the NFL since being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2010.

8. Junior dos Santos

Junior Dos Santos late bloomer

8. Junior dos Santos

Junior Dos santos late bloomer — dos Santos first began participating in martial arts at the age of 21, yet went professional within a year and he has since become one of the top MMA fighters in the world.

7. Hakeem Olajuwon

hakeem olajuwon late bloomer

7. Hakeem Olajuwon

hakeem olajuwon late bloomer — Olajuwon first began playing basketball at the age of 15, but quickly became a prodigy in the sport and ultimately became recognized as one of the top five centers of all time.

6. Johnny Weir

Johnny Weir late bloomer

6. Johnny Weir

Johnny Weir late bloomer — Weir did not begin figure skating until the age of 12, but he went on to become a three time U.S. National Champion, also skating at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.

5. Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason pierre paul late bloomer

5. Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason pierre paul late bloomer — Pierre-Paul did not begin playing football until his junior year of high school but quickly became a star in the sport, earning a scholarship at South Florida and then becoming a dominant force with the New York Giants.

4. Javi Varas

javi varas late bloomer

4. Javi Varas

javi varas late bloomer — Varas was not signed to play professional football until Sevilla FC took a flier on him at the age of 23, but he has gone on to become one of the top goalkeepers in La Liga over the last decade.

3. Kimbo Slice

kimbo slice late bloomer

3. Kimbo Slice

kimbo slice late bloomer — Slice was a relatively nobody in the fighting world until a street video of him fighting was released in 2005, but he has gone on to compile a 7-0-0 career professional boxing career.

2. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates late bloomer

2. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates late bloomer — Gates was signed by the San Diego Chargers in 2003 after not playing one snap of college football, but he has gone on to make eight Pro Bowl appearances while in the NFL.

1. Karen Legg

karen legg late bloomers

1. Karen Legg

karen legg late bloomers — Legg did not learn to swim until the age of 13, yet managed to represent Great Britain at the 2000 Summer Olympics and won two career gold medals at the FINA World Swimming Championships.

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