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

St. Louis has produced some of the biggest sports stars in the world. From baseball to boxing to golf, these locally-grown superstars have earned the right to be celebrated as some of the best athletes in history.

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Todd Awbrey / Flickr

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.

TigerNet.com / Flickr

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.

jc.winkler / Flickr

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.

@arrogant / Flickr

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.

Screengrab via U.S. Soccer / YouTube

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.

Hayden Schiff / Flickr

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.

Screengrab via haNZAgod / YouTube

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.

All-Pro Reels / Flickr

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.

Screengrab via British Pathe / YouTube

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.

Gage Skidmore / Flickr

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.