15 Under-the-Radar Professional Athletes Who Will Become Stars in 2015

By Jacob Kornhauser

For whatever reason, some athletes just don’t get the respect they deserve. Whether it’s because they don’t play in a large market or they’re not flashy, some great athletes just don’t get recognized. With momentum building in their careers, there’s no way these 15 players will be looked at as anything but stars by the end of 2015.

15 Under-the-Radar Professional Athletes Who Will Become Stars in 2015
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15. Dougie Hamilton - Boston Bruins

Dougie Hamilton - Boston Bruins Credit: Getty Images
Hamilton is a rising star for the Bruins and unlike some other players on this list, he will get the recognition he deserves right away. That's because the Bruins play in a large hockey market and appreciate good hockey. Hamilton is good hockey and fans around the country are going to know his name soon.

15. Dougie Hamilton - Boston Bruins

Hamilton is a rising star for the Bruins and unlike some other players on this list, he will get the recognition he deserves right away. That's because the Bruins play in a large hockey market and appreciate good hockey. Hamilton is good hockey and fans around the country are going to know his name soon.

14. FS Tashaun Gipson - Cleveland Browns

FS Tashaun Gipson - Cleveland Browns Credit: Getty Images
Gipson didn't even get drafted a couple years ago, but he already has double-digit interceptions in his career and has been one of the most impressive safeties in the league. If he keeps producing at a high level, he's going to get the recognition he deserves.

14. FS Tashaun Gipson - Cleveland Browns

Gipson didn't even get drafted a couple years ago, but he already has double-digit interceptions in his career and has been one of the most impressive safeties in the league. If he keeps producing at a high level, he's going to get the recognition he deserves.

13. LB Ahmad Brooks - San Francisco 49ers

LB Ahmad Brooks - San Francisco 49ers Credit: Getty Images
With so many other defenders leaving San Francisco, Brooks has the chance to be "the guy" on that defense now. No longer will he live in the shadow of other star defenders on that defense, but he will be casting his own.

13. LB Ahmad Brooks - San Francisco 49ers

With so many other defenders leaving San Francisco, Brooks has the chance to be "the guy" on that defense now. No longer will he live in the shadow of other star defenders on that defense, but he will be casting his own.

12. SP Collin McHugh - Houston Astros

SP Collin McHugh - Houston Astros Credit: Getty Images
McHugh is one of the brightest young pitchers in baseball and he's already begun to make his mark on the league. Playing for the Astros, he doesn't quite the recognition he deserves, but if he keeps pitching the way he is, nobody will be able to ignore him for long.

12. SP Collin McHugh - Houston Astros

McHugh is one of the brightest young pitchers in baseball and he's already begun to make his mark on the league. Playing for the Astros, he doesn't quite the recognition he deserves, but if he keeps pitching the way he is, nobody will be able to ignore him for long.

11. SP Chris Archer - Tampa Bay Rays

SP Chris Archer - Tampa Bay Rays Credit: Getty Images
The talented Rays pitcher seems to just get better and better with every start and that's a scary thought for American League offenses. He's just now realizing just how good he can be in this league and it appears as though he's ready to take off and become an elite pitcher for years to come.

11. SP Chris Archer - Tampa Bay Rays

The talented Rays pitcher seems to just get better and better with every start and that's a scary thought for American League offenses. He's just now realizing just how good he can be in this league and it appears as though he's ready to take off and become an elite pitcher for years to come.

10. PG Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors

PG Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors Credit: Getty Images
Lowry surprised a lot of people when he decided to stay in Toronto and he has the chance to really leave his mark on that city. He's the go-to guy on that team and his flashy play making ability will get him recognized as a star sooner rather than later.

10. PG Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors

Lowry surprised a lot of people when he decided to stay in Toronto and he has the chance to really leave his mark on that city. He's the go-to guy on that team and his flashy play making ability will get him recognized as a star sooner rather than later.

9. Mark Ribeiro - Nashville Predators

Mark Ribeiro - Nashville Predators Credit: Getty Images
Quietly, Ribeiro is becoming one of the better players in hockey. All around, he wins battles and finds ways to help his team win. He was stellar in the playoffs for the Predators this season even though they lost in the first round. While he doesn't play in a large market, hockey fans around the country are going to start recognizing his talent.

9. Mark Ribeiro - Nashville Predators

Quietly, Ribeiro is becoming one of the better players in hockey. All around, he wins battles and finds ways to help his team win. He was stellar in the playoffs for the Predators this season even though they lost in the first round. While he doesn't play in a large market, hockey fans around the country are going to start recognizing his talent.

8. RB Andre Ellington - Arizona Cardinals

RB Andre Ellington - Arizona Cardinals Credit: Getty Images
Ellington looked ready for a breakout year in 2014, but then struggled through injuries all season. Now it again appears as though he's ready to turn himself into a household name. He has blazing speed and can catch the ball out of the backfield, which will make him one of the most dynamic threats in the game.

8. RB Andre Ellington - Arizona Cardinals

Ellington looked ready for a breakout year in 2014, but then struggled through injuries all season. Now it again appears as though he's ready to turn himself into a household name. He has blazing speed and can catch the ball out of the backfield, which will make him one of the most dynamic threats in the game.

7. IF Jimmy Paredes - Baltimore Orioles

IF Jimmy Paredes - Baltimore Orioles Credit: Getty Images
It seems like Paredes has figured it out with the Orioles and Baltimore has desperately needed a player like him to step up this season after they lost multiple outfielders from last year's ALCS squad. If he stays on this same path, he's going to be a perennial All-Star.

7. IF Jimmy Paredes - Baltimore Orioles

It seems like Paredes has figured it out with the Orioles and Baltimore has desperately needed a player like him to step up this season after they lost multiple outfielders from last year's ALCS squad. If he stays on this same path, he's going to be a perennial All-Star.

6. C Hassan Whiteside

C Hassan Whiteside Credit: Getty Images
Few people paid attention to the Heat this season after LeBron left town, but people should have been watching Hassan Whiteside play because he was fun to watch. He's a stellar defender and shot blocker and he started developing an offensive game toward the end of the season. That means 2015-16 could be really special for this young center.

6. C Hassan Whiteside

Few people paid attention to the Heat this season after LeBron left town, but people should have been watching Hassan Whiteside play because he was fun to watch. He's a stellar defender and shot blocker and he started developing an offensive game toward the end of the season. That means 2015-16 could be really special for this young center.

5. SS Addison Russell - Chicago Cubs

SS Addison Russell - Chicago Cubs Credit: Getty Images
Even though he's one of the top prospects in baseball, Russell was overshadowed by fellow Cubs prospect Kris Bryant when both of them were called up in the same week. However, Russell has been equally impressive as he leads the team with eight doubles. He has all the tools to be a star in the major leagues and he's only 21 years old.

5. SS Addison Russell - Chicago Cubs

Even though he's one of the top prospects in baseball, Russell was overshadowed by fellow Cubs prospect Kris Bryant when both of them were called up in the same week. However, Russell has been equally impressive as he leads the team with eight doubles. He has all the tools to be a star in the major leagues and he's only 21 years old.

4. RB Latavius Murray - Oakland Raiders

RB Latavius Murray - Oakland Raiders Credit: Getty Images
Murray really emerged as the No. 1 running back for the Raiders last season and it would make sense if he came into this year as the feature back. He could be the perfect compliment to the Raiders passing game, which seems set to take a step forward in 2015.

4. RB Latavius Murray - Oakland Raiders

Murray really emerged as the No. 1 running back for the Raiders last season and it would make sense if he came into this year as the feature back. He could be the perfect compliment to the Raiders passing game, which seems set to take a step forward in 2015.

3. SS Jung-Ho Kang - Pittsburgh Pirates

SS Jung-Ho Kang - Pittsburgh Pirates Credit: Getty Images
He wasn't even a regular starter to begin the season, but Kang has put people on notice in Pittsburgh already. He's playing nearly everyday now and is looking better and better as the season goes on. Not many people know his name now, but they will soon.

3. SS Jung-Ho Kang - Pittsburgh Pirates

He wasn't even a regular starter to begin the season, but Kang has put people on notice in Pittsburgh already. He's playing nearly everyday now and is looking better and better as the season goes on. Not many people know his name now, but they will soon.

2. PF Jabari Parker - Milwaukee Bucks

PF Jabari Parker - Milwaukee Bucks Credit: USA Today Sports
Parker was obviously a superstar at Duke and a top five pick in the NBA Draft, so he usually doesn't fly under the radar. However, not much has been said about the former Duke Blue Devil since he tore his ACL. Perhaps he can surprise some people and come back strong from surgery next season.

2. PF Jabari Parker - Milwaukee Bucks

Parker was obviously a superstar at Duke and a top five pick in the NBA Draft, so he usually doesn't fly under the radar. However, not much has been said about the former Duke Blue Devil since he tore his ACL. Perhaps he can surprise some people and come back strong from surgery next season.

1. C Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings

C Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings Credit: Getty Images
In his own right Datsyuk is already a star in the NHL. Now it's time people around the league start recognizing that. He plays for an Original Six franchise so he should get more recognition than he does, but he doesn't. Already in his prime, 2015 could finally mark the time when the rest of the league sees just how elite he is.

1. C Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit Red Wings

In his own right Datsyuk is already a star in the NHL. Now it's time people around the league start recognizing that. He plays for an Original Six franchise so he should get more recognition than he does, but he doesn't. Already in his prime, 2015 could finally mark the time when the rest of the league sees just how elite he is.

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