Los Angeles: A City of Sports Stars
Los Angeles, often referred to as Tinseltown, is renowned for its glittering entertainment industry, where A-list actors, musicians, and executives call home. However, the city’s allure extends far beyond the silver screen, as it is also a powerhouse in the world of sports. Currently, six L.A. players have claimed MVP honors, while several others have earned playoff or championship MVP awards. These athletes have not only shone individually but have also propelled their franchises to consistent playoff appearances and numerous championships. Since 2011, Los Angeles-based teams have clinched 11 titles across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and WNBA. The NFL’s Rams (2022), the NBA’s Lakers (2020), the NHL’s Kings (2014), the MLB’s Dodgers (2020, 2024), the MLS’s Galaxy (2011-12, 2014, 2024), and LAFC (2022), and the WNBA’s Sparks (2016) have all added to the city’s illustrious sports legacy. With such a wealth of talent, it’s no wonder that determining the biggest sports star in Los Angeles is a challenging task. Here, we rank the 10 best athletes currently in the City of Angels.
James Harden: A Consistent Force for the Clippers
James Harden, though his MVP days may be behind him, continues to play at a high level. Despite Kawhi Leonard missing much of the season, Harden has been instrumental in keeping the LA Clippers in the playoff hunt following the departure of Paul George. The 35-year-old guard was named an All-Star for the 11th time in his career earlier in February, averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists per game. In many cities, an 11-time All-Star with an MVP and several top-five MVP finishes leading his team to the postseason would be a household name. However, in Los Angeles, where MVPs are a dime a dozen, Harden is just one of many former MVPs who have made the city their home.
Drake Nacua: The Rising Star of the Rams
When the Los Angeles Rams selected Drake Nacua in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, few could have predicted that he would quickly become one of the league’s top receivers. Just two years into his career, Nacua has already made a significant impact. In 2023, he set the record for the most receiving yards ever by a rookie with 1,486, surpassing the totals of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in their debut seasons. Despite missing six games in 2024 due to injury, Nacua finished the year third in the NFL in receiving yards per game (90). At 23, Nacua’s future looks bright, and he is poised to move up this list in the coming years.
Freddie Freeman: A World Series Hero
Freddie Freeman, a Southern California native who grew up in Fountain Valley, has continued to play at an All-Star level since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022. However, it wasn’t until his third season that he truly became a franchise icon. Freeman hit a walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, and he followed it up with homers in each of the next three games, becoming the first player to ever hit a home run in the first four games of a World Series. He tied the record for most RBIs in a World Series with 12, leading the Dodgers to a victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5. Freeman’s heroics have solidified his status as one of the city’s most beloved athletes.
Justin Herbert: A Quarterback on the Rise
Ever since the Los Angeles Chargers drafted Justin Herbert with the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he has been a strong contender for the title of one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Herbert set rookie records in 2020, throwing the most touchdowns and completions ever for a first-year quarterback. While the Chargers experienced some ups and downs during Herbert’s first four years, the arrival of Jim Harbaugh in 2024 brought stability and efficiency to the team. Herbert posted career highs in passer rating (101.7), yards per attempt (7.7), and interception percentage (an NFL-best 0.6). He also guided the Chargers to their best record (11-6) in his tenure and a spot in the postseason, cementing his place among the city’s elite athletes.
Matthew Stafford: A Rams Legend
Matthew Stafford’s tenure with the Los Angeles Rams might be coming to an end, as the team has allowed him to speak with other teams about a new contract, potentially leading to a trade this offseason. For now, he remains a member of the Rams and one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Stafford quickly became a Los Angeles sports icon when he led the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the team in 2021. Following an injury-shortened 2022 season, Stafford bounced back and played like a top-10 quarterback over the last two years, nearly bringing the Rams to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. At 37, Stafford is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in today’s game, ranking second among active players in career passing yards (59,809) and touchdowns (377), as well as fourth all-time in career comebacks (38).
Mookie Betts: A Dodgers Staple
The Los Angeles Dodgers were essentially gifted a top-five player when the Boston Red Sox traded Mookie Betts to L.A. in 2020. Betts has maintained his standing as one of the best position players in the majors over his first five seasons with the team. He has finished in the top five of NL MVP voting in the years he hasn’t missed significant time due to injury, with two runner-up finishes. More importantly, Betts has played a crucial role in two World Series titles. In 2020, he helped the Dodgers break their 32-year championship drought with memorable performances on the field and at the plate. He was productive in the postseason this past year as well, hitting .290 with four homers. The 32-year-old is the only active MLB player with three World Series titles and ranks fifth in bWAR, fifth in batting average, and seventh in slugging percentage among active players.
Mike Trout: A Baseball Legend
Mike Trout, while a bit removed from his peak, continues to produce strong numbers despite dealing with multiple injuries in recent years. He hit 40 homers in his last 100-plus-game season in 2022, achieving another season with a near 1.000 OPS (0.999). Over the last two years, Trout has tallied 28 homers with a .860 OPS, despite playing in only 111 games. In 2025, Trout is set to move to right field to help prolong his playing career, but he remains arguably the best all-time player currently in MLB. His three MVP wins are tied for the most ever, and his bWAR is the highest among active players. He is also second among active players in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and home runs, making him a perennial favorite for the top spot in any list of L.A. athletes.
Luka Doncic: A New Lakers Sensation
No one could have predicted Luka Doncic’s inclusion on this list a month ago, but his sudden trade to the Lakers instantly places him near the top. Taking one of the 10 spots that would have presumably been held by Anthony Davis, Doncic could easily be ranked higher than No. 3. Doncic, who has earned first-team All-NBA nods in each of the last five seasons, has had one of the best starts to a career in NBA history. Although he won’t be named an All-NBA player this season due to injury, Doncic would rank in the top 10 in points and assists per game for the sixth straight year if he were eligible. He led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 as a 25-year-old, averaging 30.9 points per game in the postseason, the second-highest mark in NBA history.
LeBron James: The King of the NBA
LeBron James, one of the greatest NBA players ever, is the league’s all-time leading scorer, with four titles and four MVPs to his name. At 40 years old, James continues to add to his impressive résumé during the 2024-25 season. As of Feb. 24, James ranks in the top 15 in scoring and assists per game, posting numbers that are not far off from his prime years. He seems poised to finish in the top 10 in MVP voting for the 18th time in his career and could be named first-team All-NBA for the 14th time, as the Lakers have been one of the top teams in the Western Conference this season. James’ enduring excellence and leadership make him a perennial favorite for the top spot in any list of L.A. athletes.
Shohei Ohtani: A Baseball Phenomenon
To be ranked ahead of LeBron James, an athlete must be doing something truly special. Shohei Ohtani did just that in 2024. He became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season, leading the NL with 54 homers and finishing second in stolen bases with 59. Ohtani was unanimously voted NL MVP, becoming the first player among the major North American professional sports leagues to win three MVPs unanimously. He also won his first World Series title with the Dodgers in 2024, achieving this feat without pitching, as he took a year off from the mound to rehab his elbow after surgery in 2023. Ohtani’s versatility and dominance have made him a unique and unparalleled figure in the world of sports, solidifying his position as the biggest sports star in Los Angeles.
Honorable Mentions
While the above athletes have made significant impacts in their respective sports, several others deserve honorable mentions for their contributions to Los Angeles’ sports landscape. These include players who have been instrumental in their teams’ successes and have garnered significant recognition and fan support. The city’s rich sports history and the current roster of talented athletes ensure that Los Angeles remains a hub of athletic excellence and a place where sports legends are born and thrive. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the City of Angels offers a wealth of sports entertainment and inspiration.
