LeBron and Serena Williams were named Athletes in the Decade by the Associated Press. They beat out Olympic gymnast Simone Biles as well as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Lindsey Vonn, Katie Ledeck, and Tom Brady were also on the list, finishing third and fourth respectively. Men's competitors include Lionel Messi, Michael Phelps, and Lionel Messi.
LeBron James
Not only is LeBron James arguably the greatest basketball player in the history of the sport, but he's also an entrepreneur with off-court successes. He has a minority stake at Liverpool Football Club and launched a production business. Uninterrupted Media is his digital media business. His numerous projects have helped him gain more visibility. His goal is to see the Los Angeles Lakers return to glory.
James was named the AP Athlete of the Decade on Monday, beating out other athletes including Tom Brady, Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, and Michael Phelps. He was controversially viewed as the NBA's star player in 2010 and this honor was huge for him. After spurning the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, he was viewed as a villain in the league, but he soon earned acclaim. He won the MVP award. In 10 years, he also won three NBA championships.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams' dominance on the tennis court has earned her the title Female Athlete de Decade. She was selected by AP's beat writers and sports editors based upon her accomplishments on the court and off. She won 12 Grand Slam singles title, became a mom for the first-time, fought against racism in the athletic community and became an example for young women.
She has won numerous singles slams and claimed 12 Grand Slam titles since 2007. This feat has never been achieved by another woman. She is also the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles trophy, and tied Steffi Graf's record for most consecutive weeks at the top. Serena is also a finalist in 19 majors. She has won 37 singles titles.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the most famous soccer player. He is the greatest goal scorer of all time, as well as one of the top free-kick takers, passers, dribblers and passers in soccer's history. Messi, among other things, completes more dribbles than any other player, plays more through ball and makes more passes to the penalty area. His dominance has earned him the nickname Ruthian. Although this word isn't in every dictionary it's used as a descriptor of Messi on the sports pages.
Messi has won many awards and honors in his long career, not only as a top-flight football player. He's twice been listed among the top 100 most influential people by Time magazine. Time magazine in 2011 named him one of the most influential 100 people in the globe, and Laureus World Sportsman of the Decade was awarded to him in 2020. And his career earnings have topped $1 billion. At 13 years old, Messi started at a Barcelona youth academy. He went on to win six La Liga titles and two Champions League titles.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympic athlete of the decade. Phelps is the most decorated athlete of all time with his 22 Olympic medals. He also won eight golds at Beijing Games 2008. He has won more national titles and World Championships than any other swimmer.
His Olympic achievements have paved the way for his name to become synonymous with swimming. Despite his long absence from competition, Michael Phelps hasn't slowed down. He has established a foundation to teach kids how to swim and to promote the sport. His foundation funds swim training programs and teaches children the basics. He has even given more of his time to it. Old friends still send him text messages asking when he will return to competition.