As the saying goes, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. Unsurprisingly there is a long list of professional athletes from the Empire State. What is surprising, however, is how many baseball players got their start there. (Learn about the longest standing unbroken records in sports.)
To compile this list of the biggest sports stars from New York, 24/7 Tempo consulted various sports databases and rankings including the Sports Illustrated Vault and Bleacher Report. From there, we picked stars from a variety of sports that had the biggest impact on their chosen game. To give background to each player, we consulted sites like Britannica and Biography.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Hometown: Harlem, New York, NY
Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a former professional basketball player. Clocking in at over 7 ft tall, Abdul-Jabbar’s talent was apparent even in high school. During his 20-season career, Abdul-Jabbar was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, a member of six NBA championship teams, and a 19-time NBA All-Star.
In his later years, Abdul-Jabbar made a foray into acting. He appeared in numerous hit movies like “Airplane!,” as well as TV shows like “Full House,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “The Big Bang Theory.” A noted author as well, Abdul-Jabbar has published multiple best-selling books including his autobiography, as well as books on African-American history.
Lou Gehrig
- Hometown: Yorkville, New York, NY
Born as Henry Louis Gehrig, Lou Gehrig was a professional baseball first baseman. A native of New York City and a student at Columbia University, Gehrig joined the New York Yankees in 1923. During his illustrious career, Gehrig was an All-Star seven consecutive times, an American League Most Valuable Player twice, and a member of six World Series Champion teams.
After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease (ALS), Gehrig stunned fans by retiring. Though he died from the disease only a few years later, the condition became best known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease for decades to come. In honor of him, the New York Yankees erected a monument which still stands in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. (Learn about the best baseball stars from every state.)
Julius Erving
- Hometown: Roosevelt, New York
Also known as Dr. J, Julius Erving was a professional basketball small forward. During his impressive career, Erving won three NBA championships, four Most Valuable Player Awards, and was the eight-highest scorer in NBA history. Widely considered one of the best basketball players ever, Erving is ostensibly the creator of the slam dunk, a technique that has been assimilated into the basic moves that define basketball.
After his basketball career, Erving became a businessman. At one point, he was the part owner of a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Philadelphia. His other post-basketball credits include television analyst, Vice President of RDV Sports, as well as Executive Vice President for the front office of the Orlando Magic basketball organization.
Sandy Koufax
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, NY
Born Sanford Braun on Dec. 30, 1935, Sandy Koufax was a professional baseball pitcher. Considered one of the best pitchers in history, Koufax was a seven-time MLB All-Star, winner of three Cy Young Awards, and a World Series Champion four times over. Besides his long list of accolades, Koufax was the first major league pitcher to throw four no-hitters, including one perfect game.
Since retiring from baseball, Koufax has kept a low profile. Though he signed a 10-year contract to be a broadcaster on “Saturday Game of the Week,” Koufax is notoriously shy and quickly resigned, deciding he couldn’t handle the spotlight. Nevertheless, Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
John McGraw
- Hometown: Truxton, New York
Born John Joseph McGraw, John McGraw was a professional baseball player and manager. During his playing career as a third baseman, McGraw was a three-time World Series Champion. Instability in baseball at that time, however, led McGraw to become a team manager instead.
One of the biggest sports stars from New York, McGraw was best known for managing the New York Giants. During his nearly 30 years at the helm of the team, the Giants won 10 pennants as well as three World Series. McGraw also holds the National League record for 31 seasons managed. His unbridled success led to McGraw being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937. (Discover the best baseball players the year you were born.)
Vince Lombardi
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, NY
Vince Lombardi was an American football coach and executive in the National Football League. Considered one of the greatest football coaches ever, Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to three straight and five total NFL Championships.
Though he died in 1970, Lombardi’s name has become synonymous with American football. The biggest trophy in the NFL, the one awarded each year to the team winning the Super Bowl, is named after him. Not only was he portrayed in half a dozen movies and television shows, Lombardi’s name graces countless monuments, buildings, and streets across the country. For his success, Lombardi was inducted into the NFL’s Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. (Learn about the most popular NFL coaches.)
Michael Jordan
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, NY
Michael Jordan was arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, a cultural icon, and one of the biggest sports stars from New York. During his 15 seasons in the NBA, Jordan was a six-time NBA champion, six-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and a 14-time NBA All Star.
Jordan helped popularize his signature Nike Air Jordan shoe, which still remains one of the best-selling shoes of all time. Not only did he star in the popular film “Space Jam,” Jordan was also the part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets. He is currently considered one of the wealthiest former athletes in history, with a net worth of $3 billion.
Mike Tyson
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, NY
Born Michael Gerard Tyson, Mike Tyson was a professional boxer. Known as “Iron Mike,” Tyson is considered one of the greatest and fiercest heavyweight boxers of all time. Not only the youngest person to win a heavyweight title, Tyson was the first boxer to hold the WBA, IBF, and WBC titles simultaneously. During his career, Tyson held a record of 50 wins and six losses.
After retiring from boxing and being released from prison, Tyson has become something of a cultural icon. This is, in part, due to his appearances on television, commercials, and with roles in movies like the The Hangover series. He is also an accomplished author, with his first book, “Undisputed Truth,” becoming a New York Times Bestseller.
Carmelo Anthony
- Hometown: Red Hook, New York, NY
Born Carmelo Kyam Anthony, Carmelo Anthony is a former professional basketball player. During his 19-season professional career, Anthony earned the title of NBA All-Star 10 times and was an All-NBA team member six times. He was also elected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Though he recently retired from professional basketball, Anthony was also a member of multiple Olympic teams.
Between the years of 2004 and 2016, Anthony earned three gold medals and one bronze medal during the different Olympic games. Besides making various movie and television appearances, Anthony is also a noted philanthropist. Not only did he open “The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center” in Baltimore, Anthony committed a record $3 million for a new basketball facility at his alma mater, Syracuse University.
Ray Rice
- Hometown: New Rochelle, New York
Born Raymell Mourice Rice, Ray Rice is a former professional American football running back. During his six-season career with the Baltimore Ravens, Rice was named to three pro bowls and was a Super Bowl Champion. Beyond that, in 2011 he was the AFC rushing touchdowns leader and NFL scrimmage yards leader.
Rice came under fire after a domestic dispute with his wife, causing him to announce his retirement from professional football. However, he is also big supporter of causes like homeless aid and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His philanthropy led to him being voted Baltimore’s most charitable person in 2012. (Discover the most popular teams in professional sports.)