The warmth of the Arizona desert is the perfect place for athletes to hone in on their skills. For the most part, athletes who play outdoor sports can practice year-round while living in Arizona. It’s one of the reasons Major League Baseball has a handful of teams that flock to the Grand Canyon State each year for Spring Training.
Football players need to be careful when practicing during the summer months, though. There’s never a time when young players should be in full pads on 110-degree days. Arizona experiences ridiculously high temperatures regularly. In terms of basketball, it’s tough to find a better place to get work done. Rounding a group of friends together to play basketball is common practice among the youth of Arizona. You never have to worry about shoveling snow in places like Phoenix or Tucson before playing a game. Richard Jefferson and Shawn Elliott are two prime examples of players who used that fact to their advantage.
In a completely ironic twist of fate, it’s arguable that Arizona has produced the best hockey player ever for the 2023-2024 season. Auston Matthews is currently enjoying a record-breaking year for the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though he grew up in the middle of the desert. Having access to practice any sport at any point during the year is one of the reasons so many athletes prefer living there during their off-seasons. For more Arizona content, click here to read about the most popular sports teams in the state.
To compile the list of best athletes from Arizona, 24/7 Tempo consulted different sports-centered websites. These include NFL.com, MLB.com, and NBA.com.
Brock Purdy
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Quarterback Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Queen Creek
- Sport: Football
- Position: Quarterback
Becoming an NFL quarterback is one thing, but having Super Bowl expectations in your first full year as a starter is completely different. Brock Purdy was fighting through that all year with constant negative attention thrown his way by several media members.
Despite all this, Purdy helped guide the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they lost a heartbreaking classic to the Kansas City Chiefs. Purdy has shown an ability to do exactly what he needs to win games, a recipe that’s surely going to take him a long way in this league.
Auston Matthews
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 03: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates out for the 2024 NHL Skills Competition on February 03, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Scottsdale
- Sport: Hockey
- Position: Center
Growing up as a hockey fan in Arizona meant having to travel far and wide for tournaments. That’s just what Auston Matthews did growing up, and it’s most certainly paid off. The highly touted prospect has lived up to the hype, becoming one of the best players in the NHL.
He’s set to lead the league in scoring for the 2023-2024 season, barring an injury. There were even talks about him returning to his hometown Arizona Coyotes team before signing a contract with the Maple Leafs before the year.
Cody Bellinger
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after scoring on a RBI single by Yan Gomes #15 in the second inning at Truist Park on September 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Scottsdale
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Outfielder
Arizona is one of the best places for baseball players to live. It’s easy to practice year-round, which is one of the reasons Cody Bellinger grew up the son of a baseball player. He knew exactly what it would take to make it to the big league level. In his career, he’s won a World Series as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He’s also been to two All-Star games. To top it off, Bellinger’s been a pivotal member of different franchises. The talented athlete now plays for the Chicago Cubs, where he and his teammates are expecting big things during 2024.
Ian Kinsler
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 18: Former Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler walks out to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game Three of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on October 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Tucson
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Second Base
Before winning the 2023 World Series, the Texas Rangers went to back-to-back Fall Classics in 2010 and 2011. Ian Kinsler was a massive reason why the team had so much overall success. Even though he didn’t get a ring with the Rangers, Kinsler came through in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox.
That was his story as they marched through the playoffs. Since retiring, Kinsler has done some coaching, mainly with Team Israel during the World Baseball Classic.
Darren Woodson
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Darren Woodson competes in a football toss for charity as Hublot unveils the Big Bang Dallas Cowboys timepieces at AT&T Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Hublot)
- Hometown: Phoenix
- Sport: Football
- Position: Safety
Few teams in all of sports have the same level of fan interest as the Dallas Cowboys. One of the reasons is the success the team experienced in the 1990s. They won three Super Bowls in four years, with Darren Woodson being one of the main factors. He went to the Pro Bowl five times in a row from 1994 to 1998. Since his retirement, Woodson has become one of the best NFL analysts on television.
Sean Elliott
AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: NBA legend Sean Elliott plays basketball on the NBA court in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 21, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Tucson
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Small Forward
The San Antonio Spurs are considered one of the main NBA franchises fans respect when thinking about their level of dominance. The team won five championships from 1999 to 2015, with the help of dynamic players like Sean Elliott. While he was only on the team for the first championship, Elliott helped set the team up for a long time into the future.
During his career, he also went to a handful of All-Star games and averaged just under 15 points per game. Elliott is another player who transitioned to an impressive television career after retiring from his sport.
Randall McDaniel
ST PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 03: Former NFL player Randall McDaniel attends The 27th Annual Party With A Purpose on February 3, 2018 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL)
- Hometown: Phoenix
- Sport: Football
- Position: Guard
Having an NFL career that lasts longer than a decade means you’re one of the most durable players ever. Randall McDaniel was an offensive lineman primarily with the Minnesota Vikings for his career. His career spanned beyond 10 years, defying the odds. He’s known for his mean blocks, tough attitude, and willingness to always show up for his team.
Once he retired, McDaniel was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the highest honor any football player could dream of. He’s also dedicated his time to working with different public schools.
Kerri Strug
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 13: Gymnast Kerri Strug attends the 30th Annual Salute To Women In Sports Awards at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 13, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for the Women�s Sports Foundation)
- Hometown: Tucson
- Sport: Gymnastics
- Position: Gymnast
Being a gymnast requires a level of strength and stamina that most athletes only dream of having. Kerri Strug used her extreme athleticism to make back-to-back Olympic teams for the United States. In 1996, the team won gold during the Atlanta games. She wanted to continue to inspire people even after she was done competing, so she became a teacher in California. She’s also worked in various government departments since going to Washington D.C. later in life.
Dallas Braden
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 09: Dallas Braden #51 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey during an MLB game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 9, 2010 in Oakland, California. Braden is seen kissing his mother's wedding ring who passed away. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Phoenix
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Pitcher
Being a pitcher in the MLB means you have one job – getting the other team out. However, most of the time, at least one or two of the other players make it to base at some point… Unless you’re Dallas Braden. On May 9, 2010, Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in MLB history. This means nobody got on base at all for the other team during the game.
This was even more special for Braden because it was on Mother’s Day, and he lost his mother to breast cancer when he was in high school. Since retiring, Braden has joined the Oakland A’s broadcast team. His lively personality makes him must-watch television.
Alex Bowman
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Tucson
- Sport: NASCAR
- Position: Driver
Many people can’t grasp the physical toll NASCAR driving has on your body. The heat these athletes have to endure isn’t normal compared to what most others do. Add in the fact you’re forced to sit upright in car for hours upon hours in a row every week. It’s easy to understand why guys like Alex Bowman are considered world-class athletes.
During his career, Bowman has won multiple different races. He was born in Tucson, Arizona. For his career, he travels all around the globe each weekend for races. For more Arizona content, click here to read about the biggest movie stars from the state.