There is an underlying curse that comes with being labeled a "child prodigy." Undoubtedly, there is a level of beauty that exists in witnessing uncorrupted, precocious children excel in an adult domain. But throughout that process, future expectations are generated, i.e., a burden that can either glorify or pose a threat to the phenom's birth name and legacy.
While child prodigies are assumed to able able to sustain their success and prosperity later on in adult life, the fact of the matter is, for every Mozart and Bobby Fisher there is also an Ervin Nyiregyhazie. We have unfortunately seen this happen far too often.
Unlike our predecessors, in today's day and age, technology and mainstream media have certainly played a factor, as well as destiny itself. Examining the prodigies that have emerged in the sports field, roughly within the past centuries, here are 10 child prodigy sports stars who didn't pan out and 5 that did.
15 Never Panned Out - Evan Berry
According to Bleacher Report, back in 2009, 13-year-old Evan Berry told Yahoo about his verbal commitment to attend the University of Tennessee and play football. Determined to follow in his family's footsteps, Berry would go on to be true to his word. Though coach Lane Kiffin left for USC the following year, Berry played defensive back for the Volunteers from 2014-2017. Going undrafted, he signed with the Browns and was waived just 3 months later.
14 Did - Tara Lipinski
Tara Lipinski gained nationwide recognition when she competed in the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival and became the youngest athlete to win the gold medal. The words "distinctive" and "precocious" can seem to best describe Lipinski as just the following year, at 13, Lipinski became the first female skater to land a triple loop/triple loop jump combination, and in her later years, won numerous Professional Figure Skating championships.
13 Never Panned Out - Toe Nash
Playing in the Dixie youth tournament, a young Toe Nash immediately caught the attention of Tampa Bay Devil Ray scout Benny Latino. Years after losing track of him, Latino took Nash to meet the rest of the Rays scouting department. The staff couldn't help watching in awe after he hit towering home runs with both hands. Ultimately, arrests, fights, and a failed drug test led to his downfall as Nash was released by both the Reds and the Rays.
12 Did - Megan Kang
Megan Kang left the public with quite the impression when Enterprise News wrote a piece on the young phenom. Resonating with parents and children through her Hmong culture and strong family bond, nearly 11 years have passed since the issue was printed. Currently, Kang is 22 and since earning her LPGA Tour card in 2016, she has only progressed. Last year, Kang recorded a T8 at the Evian Championship and has a Rolex golf ranking of 41.
11 Never Panned Out - Jashaun Agosto
Jashaun Agosto can be remembered as the 11-year-old who made news headlines for his incredible muscle memory at such a young age, as well as appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As a teenager, he went to Garfield High Scool and became a 3-star recruit. Despite having above-average basketball skills, unlike most athletes, his growth spurt was limited. Standing at 5'11," he became a 4-year starter at LIU but never received an opportunity to play professionally.
10 Did - Wayne Gretzky
Displaying a skill level far beyond his age, a 6-year-old Wayne Gretzky played against 10 year-olds on his Pee Wee hockey team in Brantford. By his final year, the media began to take notice when he scored an impressive 378 goals. As it is well-known, the child prodigy grew up to be considered the greatest NHL player of all-time.
9 Never Panned Out - Cody Paul
Cody Paul's internet sensation all started when his brother posted highlights of him playing football for Los Alamitos Pop Warner Pee Wee Griffinson on Youtube. In a move that was intended for relatives in Utah, the video went viral and placed the 12-year-old running back into early fame. By his 3rd year of high school, reality struck hard. Never growing past 5'5," Paul didn't receive any offers from major colleges and ended his football career with Chadron State.
8 Did - Tiger Woods
Interviewed by sports anchor Jim Hill, Tiger Woods received his first media exposure at the early age of 2. Given Wood's love for the game and the strong support system he had around him, such as his father and John Anselmo who helped him with his swing at age 10, Woods' accolades only accumulated over the years. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship twice, and later on in adulthood, various PGA and Masters Tournament championships.
7 Never Panned Out - Maria Shishkina
Referring to her as "the next Maria Sharapova," in 2013, Trans World Sport conducted a profile interview on a then 12-year-old Maria Shishkina. Leaving Kazakhstan to attend the Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida, Sharapova began training with Bollettieri in hopes of achieving her tennis goals. Sadly, two wrist surgeries derailed her progression at 15, and shortly after being ranked at 1102 in 2016, Sharapova disappeared from the public eye.
6 Did - Nadia Comaneci
In the aftermath of her record-breaking performance at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, Nadia Comaneci's global recognition skyrocketed. The Romanian gymnast was just 14-years-old and had impressively earned 7 perfect scores — a record that no adult had ever broken in Olympic history — on the uneven bars and to this day, is the youngest Olympic all-around champion. Continuing her dominance in the 1980 Moscow games, she proceeded to capture two more gold medals.
5 Never Panned Out - Dakota Simms
The compliments poured in by CBS Atlanta Sports anchors. How could Dakota Simmons have such a high level of dedication at his age? And as if debuting on live television as a tween wasn't enough, being praised by an actual NBA Hall of Famer, in Dominique Wilkins, almost guaranteed that Simmons had an NBA future. Unfortunately, that scenario didn't come true. Graduating from New Faith Christian Academy in 2019, Simmons received a national ranking of 1,784.
4 Never Panned Out - Felipe Lopez
There can definitely be disadvantages to receiving publicity in a big market like New York. After all, the state is often referred to as the "Mecca of basketball" for a reason. Leaving the Dominican Republic at 14, Felipe Lopez learned that the hard way. Dominating media headlines, the amount of expectations Lopez endured throughout high school and St. John's became unrealistic. Struggling to adjust at the NBA level, Lopez was out of the league after 5 years.
3 Never Panned Out - Michael Johnson
From an early age, Michael Johnson mastered the sport of football. Garnering nationwide attention over his accomplishments in the Manchester City's Academy program — an English developmental league for underage footballers — the midfielder was soon signed by the Elite Squad. However, Johnson never lived up to the potential he had previously shown. Battling injuries and mental health issues, he was last heard discussing his plans to open up a restaurant.
2 Never Panned Out - Danny Almonte
Age remained prominent throughout Danny Almonte's baseball career. At one point being the star pitcher that led the Bronx Baby Bombers to the 2001 Little league World Series, Almonte's team forfeited their wins when an investigation revealed Almonte's father had falsified his birth certificate. Later attending James Monroe High School and spending time in the independent league, after going undrafted, Almonte opted to pursue a coaching career.
1 Never Panned Out - Sebastian Telfair
When The Dallas Morning News wrote a piece on a 7th grader named Sebastian Telfair, the hype only grew from there. Telfair appeared on the cover of Slam Magazine alongside LeBron James, and after contemplating attending college to play for legendary coach Rick Pitino, Telfair instead went straight to the pros. Due to lacking a jump shot and never necessarily developing, Telfair bounced around 8 teams and was out of the NBA after 10 seasons.