Many of the best professional athletes were late bloomers, not even making the HS varsity team, getting scholarship or being drafted. It’s important to know that some people develop late. Whether that be physically, technically or in regards to sports maturity.
In this article
- NFL players who were late bloomers
- NBA stars who started late
- Soccer players who were unnoticed
- Sports maturity
- The importance of not giving up
Originally Published: 2016 | Updated: 2026
This article highlights athletes who developed later than their peers yet still reached the highest levels of professional sports.
Key takeaways
- Some of the greatest athletes in history were late bloomers.
- Early success in youth sports does not guarantee professional success.
- Work ethic and mindset often matter more than early recognition.
- Players develop physically and mentally at different rates.
- Patience and persistence are critical for long-term athletic success.
Motivation for young athletes
Today we’re going to cover some of the best pros in different sports.
The goal is to motivate younger athletes to keep working hard and focusing on your own work.
Don’t compare yourselves with others where it brings you down mentally.
It’s okay to know where you are compared to others so that you know where you need to be, but don’t dwell on it.
“Let each one focus on his or her own work, and you won’t need to compare yourself to others.”
Famous late bloomers in sports
Throughout sports history there have always been athletes who started late or developed later than their peers.
Some were overlooked in high school, others were not heavily recruited, and many were not drafted. Despite that, they eventually became some of the best players in their sport.
These late bloomer athletes prove that development does not happen at the same speed for everyone. Some players grow physically later, some improve technically later, and others develop the mindset needed to compete at elite levels later in their careers.
Below are examples of famous late bloomers in sports from the NFL, NBA and professional soccer.
NFL players who were late bloomers
- Jerry Rice – small college, yet ended up becoming the best wide receiver in NFL history.
- Kurt Warner – undrafted and ended up a super bowl champ.
- Tom Brady – drafted 7th round. Won the super bowl 7 times.
- Walter Payton – small college. Super Bowl Champ. 9x Pro Bowl. NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
- Barry Sanders – didn’t start at running back until senior year in HS.
- Darrel Green – High school JV player his junior year.
- John Randle – not drafted.
- JJ Watt – Out of high school he was a 2 star recruit out of 5.
- Jeff Saturday – undrafted. Super Bowl Champ.
- Antonio Gates – undrafted. 8x Pro Bowl.
“Always believe in your abilities.”
NBA stars who started late
Late bloomers in basketball who became All-Stars!
- Michael Jordan – Didn’t make the HS varsity team his freshman year.
- Hakeem Olajuwon – Started playing basketball at the age of 15 in Nigeria.
- Tim Duncan – Was a swimmer in the Virgin Islands.
- Joel Embiid – Started basketball at the age of 15.
- Dennis Rodman – Was cut from the football team and quit basketball before later developing.
- Steve Francis – Didn’t start playing organized basketball until he was 16.
- Dikembe Mutombo – Started basketball at 16.
- Dirk Nowitzki – Didn’t start basketball until age 13.
Interesting note: 5 of these 8 grew up in another country. Four of these grew up playing soccer.
Soccer players who were unnoticed
In basketball and football you sometimes see players who didn’t start playing until they were 15-16 years old.
You won’t see this happen in soccer near as much because size & speed alone won’t cut it. You have to be technically sound to play pro.
- Didier Drogba – didn’t sign pro until he was 22.
- Ian Wright – spotted playing Sunday League before signing at age 21.
- Alex Morgan – started playing club soccer at 14.
- Jay Demerit – wasn’t drafted MLS or USL and went to Europe to trial.
- Matt Turner – started playing soccer at 14 and later signed MLS.
Must watch ⬇️
Hours and years on the ball
BIG DIFFERENCE FROM → A player first learning to play vs playing in a lower level league, yet practicing on your own.
You can play in lower leagues and still do well IF you practice the right things by yourself.
You won’t regret spending extra time working on your own with the ball.
Sports maturity
When it comes to sports maturity it can mean a lot of things, but mindset is it in one word.
5 examples:
- The never give up attitude.
- Work hard on your own to improve.
- Stay humble.
- Correct doubt with belief.
- Be mentally strong enough to handle criticism and rejection.
“Some of the best pros weren’t even playing at the age of 15.”
The importance of not giving up
Sadly, more than ever before kids are quitting sports at the age of 13 because they don’t think they are good enough.
It’s important for youths to have parents and coaches encouraging them to practice and enjoy the game.
Be patient with your growth and take it one day at a time.
“It’s amazing what you can do once you set your mind to it.”
About the Author
This article was written by Jeremie Piette, the founder of Global Futbol Training.
Jeremie is a former professional soccer player who played across four continents and more than 20 countries after being drafted from a Division II program.
For more than 15 years he has trained youth, college and professional players while building Global Futbol Training into one of the most respected independent soccer skills training programs.
His coaching focuses on technical development, ball mastery and the training habits required to reach elite levels of soccer.
Frequently asked questions about athletes who started late
Can athletes start a sport late and still go pro?
Yes. Many professional athletes developed later than their peers. Some started their main sport during their teenage years yet still reached elite levels through dedication and training.
Are late bloomers common in professional sports?
While most elite athletes start young, there are many examples of late bloomers who developed their skills later in high school or even college.
Why do some athletes develop later than others?
Athletes develop physically and mentally at different rates. Growth spurts, confidence, and training opportunities all influence development timelines.
Does early success guarantee professional success?
No. Many youth stars never reach professional levels, while some late bloomers surpass early standouts through persistence and development.
What should young athletes focus on if they develop late?
Late-developing athletes should focus on improving skills, mindset and consistency while avoiding comparisons with others.
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