The best athletes you need to see while you can

On By Yukito

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If you were lucky enough to see some of the world’s best athletes perform live and in top form, you should be grateful for the memories.

Personally, there were almost too many to count on, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Nolan Ryan, Wayne Gretzky to Joe Montana, Michael Jordan to Lawrence Taylor, Mario Lemieux to Rickey Henderson, Chris Evert to Julius Erving and yes: much more.

Hopefully, Phoenix Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant made prescient announcements during the team’s 2024-2025 Media Day when they each suggested that Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi might consider playing another year or two after 20 record seasons in this city.

If you haven’t seen her play in person yet, we both may have missed out on a golden opportunity to witness greatness. If Taurasi (42) decides to come back, we must promise ourselves that we will go watch this amazing talent play at least once in our lives.

There’s no excuse not to do it yet, but if the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer does indeed return, we’ll happily cross him off our “Top Athletes You Need to See While You Can” list.

With that in mind, here’s a list of the best in their sport – from veterans to young, rising stars from across the country – who you need to see before it’s too late. Some of them will come to the city at some point. Others, you may have to travel to see them. But it will be worth it, and if you have children, remember to take them with you to pass on experiences and memories:

Here is the list, in no particular order:

Shohei Ohtani, designated hitter and pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

You can spot this phenomenal athlete multiple times at Chase Field when the Dodgers visit the Diamondbacks, but you can also watch him for free during early spring training right here in the valley at Camelback Ranch in northwest Phoenix. Watching him hit home runs during batting practice alone should feed your soul.

Steph Curry, point guard of the Golden State Warriors

Curry, 36, is the all-time leading three-point shooter in NBA history, having made a record 3,747 three-pointers in his career, almost 1,000 more than his next closest competitor, Ray Allen. You can see Curry on November 30 at the Footprint Center and again on April 8. Don’t miss it while you still can.

Caitlin Clark, setter, Indiana Fever

And speaking of three-pointers, you’ll have to watch this season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year and all-time leading scorer in NCAA history for both men’s and women’s basketball for yourself. Clark and the Fever will visit Phoenix at least twice to play the Mercury next season. See you.

Tiger Woods, professional golfer

Woods will turn 49 in late December, and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to play in a tournament in Arizona again, but it’s worth visiting a place where you know he’ll be playing. He ranks first in wins on the PGA Tour, ranks second in men’s major championships, and has set numerous records as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

He won the second of his three Super Bowl titles here on February 11, 2024, and he and the Chiefs are trying to become the first team in NFL history to win the championship three times in the Super Bowl era. If you haven’t seen him play in person yet, better yet.

Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, New York Jets

Rodgers, 40, is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl champion. On November 10, he and the Jets will visit the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Get your tickets now and don’t miss your last chance to see one of the NFL’s remaining true gunslingers.

Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins, Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews, center, Toronto Maple Leafs

Now that the Arizona Coyotes are gone, you’ll have to make a trip to catch any of these three NHL superstars. But you really should if you haven’t seen them yet. And don’t forget about Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin, 39, is just 42 goals away from passing Gretzky (894) for the most goals scored in league history.

Katie Ledecky and Leon Marchand, swimmers, winners of Olympic gold medals

Arizona State once hosted an amazing swim meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, and if these two meets are on the schedule at some point, it will be worth your time to watch them. Ledecky won nine Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals, the most ever by a woman. Marchand, who swam for ASU, won four gold medals for France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Paul Skenes, pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

The rookie right-hander has some of the nastiest moves you’ve ever seen on his various pitches, and he makes the baseball do crazy, weird things. Catch him at Chase Field next season against the Diamondbacks and hopefully he’ll be in the rotation when the Pirates visit May 26-28. You can also meet his famous friend, LSU gymnast and social media influencer Livvy Dunne.

Lionel Messi, striker, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer

The 37-year-old Argentine is considered one of the greatest players of all time in his sport, having set numerous records and won 45 team trophies. If you follow the sport, you will find a way to watch him play if you haven’t.

Scottie Scheffler, professional golfer

Scheffler, 28, has won 13 PGA Tour events, including two majors, and also won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2022 and 2023. He is expected to be on the field when the Open returns to Phoenix on June 6-9 February at TPC Scottsdale.

LeBron James, forward, Los Angeles Lakers

“King James” turns 40 on December 30, and as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 40,474 points, you might be able to catch him on October 17, when he and the Lakers visit the Suns in Phoenix for their final preseason game. If not, you will have many more opportunities in the upcoming season.

Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast

One of the most decorated gymnasts in history, with 11 Olympic medals and 40 world championship medals in total, 27-year-old Biles is an athlete to watch for a long time. She continues to perform with fellow U.S. Olympic gymnast on their 30-city Gold Over America Tour, which previously included a stop in the Valley. If you want to plan a trip outside the city, the course lasts until November 3.

Aaron Judge, outfielder, New York Yankees

The 6-foot-7 slugger is a joy to watch, even if you catch him hitting home runs during batting practice. The six-time All-Star and three-time American League home team player can throw the ball a mile. Judge and the Yankees won’t be visiting Chase Field next season, though, so if you want to see him in 2025, you’ll have to hit the road.

And finally, if you haven’t already, go see Booker and Durant of the Suns

These are two of the best players on an NBA Valley team hoping to bounce back on its way to its first championship, and each is certainly worth the price of admission. But while you’re at it, be sure to drop by Mercury from time to time, especially if Taurasi decides to return to the 21ststreet WNBA season.

Apparently, there are many, many more superstars who aren’t on this list that you probably really want to see. Let us know who you think they are and we may add them to this story for everyone to read.

Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly on Twitter: @azbobbymac and hear him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch on Fox Sports 910-AM.