Top 25 Black Athletes

BET.com celebrates the top 25 Black athletes.

Lewis Hamilton - Hamilton, a British Formula One race driver named after U.S. sprinter Carl Lewis, is the youngest Formula One World Champion ever.

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Lewis Hamilton - Hamilton, a British Formula One race driver named after U.S. sprinter Carl Lewis, is the youngest Formula One World Champion ever.

Kobe Bryant Net worth: $140 Million - Basketball star and former MVP Kobe Bryant comes in at No.18 on the list. Several endorsement deals account for a lot of his earnings, reports Forbes. Bryant is also one of the owners of Olimpia Milano, an Italian basketball team.

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Kobe Bryant - Bryant helped to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three back-to-back championships (from 2000-2002) and earned MVP honors in 2008.

Jarome Iginla - This 13-year NHL vet has played his entire career with the Calgary Flames. Iginla, a five-time all- star, serves as his team captain; the first Black team captain in NHL history.

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Jarome Iginla - This 13-year NHL vet has played his entire career with the Calgary Flames. Iginla, a five-time all- star, serves as his team captain; the first Black team captain in NHL history.

Dwyane Wade - An All-Star guard for the NBA's Miami Heat, Wade led his team to its first championship ever in 2006 and was instrumental in the U.S. basketball team's gold medal run in the Beijing Olympics.

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Dwyane Wade - An All-Star guard for the NBA's Miami Heat, Wade led his team to its first championship ever in 2006 and was instrumental in the U.S. basketball team's gold medal run in the Beijing Olympics.

Larry Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald, a receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times.

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Larry Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald, a receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times.

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C.C. Sabathia - This MLB star pitcher recently signed on to play for the New York Yankees in the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. He is a three time All Star and won the league's Cy Young award in 2007.

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C.C. Sabathia - This MLB star pitcher recently signed on to play for the New York Yankees in the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. He is a three time All Star and won the league's Cy Young award in 2007.

LeBron James - In the national spotlight since he was a sophmore in high school, James has continued to shine in the NBA. He won Rookie of the Year his first season, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to consecutive playoff appearances and is a five-time All Star.

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LeBron James - In the national spotlight since he was a sophmore in high school, James has continued to shine in the NBA. He won Rookie of the Year his first season, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to consecutive playoff appearances and is a five-time All Star.

Candace Parker - After an illustrious college career with the Tennessee Volunteers, Parker was drafted No.1 in the WNBA in 2008. She earned both Rooke of the Year honors and the Most Valuable Player award in the same season. Parker also became just the second woman in WNBA history to dunk.

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Candace Parker - After an illustrious college career with the Tennessee Volunteers, Parker was drafted No.1 in the WNBA in 2008. She earned both Rooke of the Year honors and the Most Valuable Player award in the same season. Parker also became just the second woman in WNBA history to dunk.

Rashad Evans - Evans, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, has a record of 13 wins 0 losses and one draw. He won the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighter 2.

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Rashad Evans - Evans, a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, has a record of 13 wins 0 losses and one draw. He won the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighter 2.

Serena Williams - Serena got off to a great 2009 with a win over Dinara Safina to win the Australian Open and a return to the top spot in the tennis rankings. Along with the singles title, Serena teamed up with big sister Venus and the duo won the doubles championship in Australia as well.

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Serena Williams - Serena got off to a great 2009 with a win over Dinara Safina to win the Australian Open and a return to the top spot in the tennis rankings. Along with the singles title, Serena teamed up with big sister Venus and the duo won the doubles championship in Australia as well.

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Adrian Peterson - You know you’re good when your nickname is “All Day.” Adrian Peterson has been running all over NFL defenders since his first snap as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. This past season, Peterson racked up 1,760 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

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Adrian Peterson - You know you’re good when your nickname is “All Day.” Adrian Peterson has been running all over NFL defenders since his first snap as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. This past season, Peterson racked up 1,760 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Usain Bolt - “Lightning” struck three times at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing when Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three gold medals and set the world record in the 100, 200 and 4X100 meters relay. At the age of just 22, Bolt will have a chance to shock the world again at the 2012 Olympics in London.

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Usain Bolt - “Lightning” struck three times at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing when Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won three gold medals and set the world record in the 100, 200 and 4X100 meters relay. At the age of just 22, Bolt will have a chance to shock the world again at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The Boston Three Party - Call them what you want, but there is no denying that Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce is the NBA’s best trio. Thanks to the crew of veterans, the Boston Celtics won their first NBA Championship since 1986.

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The Boston Three Party - Call them what you want, but there is no denying that Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce is the NBA’s best trio. Thanks to the crew of veterans, the Boston Celtics won their first NBA Championship since 1986.

Stephen Curry - The lights out shooter from Davidson University, Stephen Curry took his underdog Wildcats to the Elite 8 in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The son of former NBA star Dell Curry, Stephen is averaging nearly 30 points during his junior season.

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Stephen Curry - The lights out shooter from Davidson University, Stephen Curry took his underdog Wildcats to the Elite 8 in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The son of former NBA star Dell Curry, Stephen is averaging nearly 30 points during his junior season.

Griffin Goes #1 Overall - The constant rebuilding process with the Los Angeles Clippers got a major boost when they selected Blake Griffin with the top overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. The consensus National Player of the Year averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds for the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Blake Griffin - You might not know the name, but you will by this time next year. The 6-foot-10 sophomore at the University of Oklahoma is expected to be the top pick in the 2009 NBA Draft if the forward leaves early.

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Thierry Henry - The other famous face in the Gillete ads with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, French native Thierry Henry is arguably one of the world’s best soccer players. The all-time career leading scorer for Arsenal, Henry signed a four-year contract with Barcelona for nearly $10 million a year.

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Thierry Henry - The other famous face in the Gillete ads with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, French native Thierry Henry is arguably one of the world’s best soccer players. The all-time career leading scorer for Arsenal, Henry signed a four-year contract with Barcelona for nearly $10 million a year.

Dwight Howard - The NBA’s premiere big man, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard’s coming out party was in last year’s Slam Dunk Contest. Howard is more than just a dunker as the big man is averaging nearly 14 rebounds a game this season.

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Dwight Howard - The NBA’s premiere big man, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard’s coming out party was in last year’s Slam Dunk Contest. Howard is more than just a dunker as the big man is averaging nearly 14 rebounds a game this season.

Cappie Pondexter - The Phoenix Mercury guard and former Rutgers star was second in the WNBA in scoring (21.2) behind teammate Diana Taurasi. The 2007 WNBA Finals MVP was also a member of the USA women’s basketball team that took home gold during the Olympics in Beijing.

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Cappie Pondexter - The Phoenix Mercury guard and former Rutgers star was second in the WNBA in scoring (21.2) behind teammate Diana Taurasi. The 2007 WNBA Finals MVP was also a member of the USA women’s basketball team that took home gold during the Olympics in Beijing.

Ryan Howard - The 2006 MVP, first baseman Ryan Howard was one of the reasons why the Philadelphia Phillies won the 2008 World Series. Howard has hit at least 45 home runs and knocked in 136 RBIs the last three seasons.

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Ryan Howard - The 2006 MVP, first baseman Ryan Howard was one of the reasons why the Philadelphia Phillies won the 2008 World Series. Howard has hit at least 45 home runs and knocked in 136 RBIs the last three seasons.

Venus Williams - The other half of the Williams sister duo, Venus Williams has seven Grand Slam titles under her belt including five at Wimbledon. Off the court, Williams launched her own fashion line called “EleVen.”

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Venus Williams - The other half of the Williams sister duo, Venus Williams has seven Grand Slam titles under her belt including five at Wimbledon. Off the court, Williams launched her own fashion line called “EleVen.”

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Tiger Woods - Despite missing most of 2008 with a leg injury, the world’s greatest golfer is expected to pick up where he left off at the Masters in April. Woods has won 14 Majors, four shy of tying Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.

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Tiger Woods - Despite missing most of 2008 with a leg injury, the world’s greatest golfer is expected to pick up where he left off at the Masters in April. Woods has won 14 Majors, four shy of tying Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.

Bernard Hopkins - Don’t let the age fool you; Bernard Hopkins, even at the age of 44, is the best middleweight boxer currently in boxing. His performance against Kelly Pavlik cemented his legacy in the ring. But will The Executioner step foot in the ring again? That remains to be seen.

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Bernard Hopkins - Don’t let the age fool you; Bernard Hopkins, even at the age of 44, is the best middleweight boxer currently in boxing. His performance against Kelly Pavlik cemented his legacy in the ring. But will The Executioner step foot in the ring again? That remains to be seen.

Stevie Williams - A Philadelphia native, Stevie Williams became the first skateboarder to be sponsored by Reebok in 2004 and is currently sponsored by the Jordan Brand. Williams recently opened a skate shop in Atlanta called Sk8tique with DJ Don Cannon.

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Stevie Williams - A Philadelphia native, Stevie Williams became the first skateboarder to be sponsored by Reebok in 2004 and is currently sponsored by the Jordan Brand. Williams recently opened a skate shop in Atlanta called Sk8tique with DJ Don Cannon.

B.J. Upton - Upton helped carry the Tampa Bay Rays all the way to their improbable run in the World Series last season. The 24-year-old outfielder slugged seven post-season home runs for the Rays, as he looks to build off his playoff heroics this upcoming year.

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B.J. Upton - Upton helped carry the Tampa Bay Rays all the way to their improbable run in the World Series last season. The 24-year-old outfielder slugged seven post-season home runs for the Rays, as he looks to build off his playoff heroics this upcoming year.

Chris Paul - CP3 is arguably the top point guard in the NBA and for good reason. Paul averaged 21.1 points and 11.6 assists last season, finishing second in the MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant.

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Chris Paul - CP3 is arguably the top point guard in the NBA and for good reason. Paul averaged 21.1 points and 11.6 assists last season, finishing second in the MVP voting behind Kobe Bryant.