Breaking color barriers, paving pathways, and making history is just a glimpse into the impact of Black athletes in the sports world. From NBA player Kobe Bryant changing the game of basketball with his “Mamba Mentality,” to tennis player Venus Williams encouraging young Black girls to play tennis, to the USA volleyball team player Jordan Thomspon raising racial awareness through her social media platform, Black athletes have challenged the inequality they face to strive for a better world. Whether they’re on or off-court, the determination, resilience, and enthusiasm of these athletes inspire students to follow their legacy.

Venus Williams: Tennis

In one swift motion, Williams pushes forward with an electrifying spirit and swings with all her might. The entire point looks effortless, but through the withering heat, sweat trickles down her skin, and she pants as she retreats to the baseline of the Wimbledon grass court, ready for Lindsay Davenport’s serve.

Gritty and bold are expressions to describe her dominating playing style, and her “never quit” mentality is what has contributed to an astonishing four Olympic gold medals and seven Grand Slam titles, as well as being the first African-American woman to receive Wimbledon’s Venus Rosewater Dish — a fitting name.

“I was first struck by her precise speed at hitting the racket. Along with that, her overall commitment towards the sport was a huge inspiration for me,” said Ruhee Hedge ’25, an avid tennis fan.

At the young age of four, Williams’ father, Richard Williams, introduced her to tennis on public courts, where her younger sister, Serena Williams, watched, and became inspired to do the same. Soon after, Richard Williams trained the two with some help from his 78-page plan, guiding them to hone their skills on the court for hours on end. As a result, one of Williams’ most notable weapons is her serve, which has flawless timing, speed, and grace.

“I enjoy watching Venus’ technique, the way she uses her body weight to push the ball onto the other side of the court with a lot of momentum. I also enjoy her energy and attitude, which I believe has gotten her very far in her career,” said tennis player Dia Beri ’25.

Despite her calm demeanor, Williams’ fierceness on court withstands even the toughest of opponents and is evident through her outstanding athleticism and mentality. Redefining the sport to a whole other level, she constantly raises the bar both physically and mentally for other players. In fact, many rising stars, like Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens, have modeled their technique after Williams, and look up to her not only as a player, but as a person. Her remarkable sportsmanship and respect for other players has carried her to greater heights, most notably to the 2015 U.S. Open Sportsmanship Award. Supporting her sister, Serena Williams, is also something that comes naturally to Williams, who humbly accepted her loss at the 2017 Australian Open and praised her little sister for her 23rd Grand Slam.

“When I was younger, I met Venus Williams twice and watched her play a match. Ever since then, I have kind of seen her as someone to model my game after. She has power, physical strength, and great placement of the ball. It’s always cool watching her play,” said varsity girl’s tennis player Lada Labas ’25.

Off the court, Williams is vocal about supporting equal compensation for players and advocating for gender equality in sports. She led a campaign with UNESCO and the Women’s Tennis Association in 2006, which eventually led to Wimbledon implementing a policy for equal prize money for all genders.

Along with bolstering these foundations, Williams has learned to work her way to the top despite being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause muscle pain and chronic fatigue. She has stayed resilient throughout her diagnosis and shown the world the dominant force she is on court, rousing a new generation of players to stay focused, courageous, and resilient.

“I believe that Venus’ will to keep winning is above many upcoming tennis stars, which is why she is so successful… She’s proof that even if you don’t come from a well-off family and rich private lessons, you can make something of yourself and become successful if you put in the effort,” Beri said.

Kobe Bryant: Basketball

Dribbling the basketball from one hand to another with sweat running down his face, Kobe Bryant runs through the obstacle of people and jumps with all his strength, shooting right before the buzzer sounds. The crowd cheers and yells in excitement as the ball swooshes through the net, marking one of his greatest games against the Toronto Raptors.

His fans and teammates described him as being tough and determined, an attitude that allowed him to spend 20 years in his NBA career, achieving awards such as Sportsman of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly award.

“I really admire Kobe Bryant — he [was] one of my favorite NBA players. I enjoy[ed] watching his attitude during his games,” said Flora Xu ’26.

At the age of three, Bryant started playing basketball because of his admiration for the Lakers. His father, Joe Bryant, also played basketball in the NBA. He played for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. However, when Bryant turned six, his father retired from the NBA and taught him basketball.

“He always [encouraged] his teammates and always [tried] his hardest. When he [missed] a shot, he never [gave] up but kept on trying until he makes it. This taught me to never give up on anything I do,” Xu said.

Bryant’s dedication and passion for the game was incomparable to anyone else, which was evident in his approach to every game. While on court, Bryant showed strong leadership by taking control of the game with the support and faith of his teammates. His “Mamba Mentality” became synonymous with hard work and relentlessness, giving people around the world the hope to chase their dreams. His success, accomplishments, and inspiration towards others wasn’t just on the court. Off the court, Bryant was known for his philanthropy, most notably through his support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the After-School All-Stars program.

Continuing to inspire others after he retired from the NBA, Bryant started sharing his skills and knowledge for basketball with children. He instilled the values of hard work, perseverance, and determination that are part of the Mamba Mentality, even opening the Mamba Sports Academy, which gives players of all ages opportunities to train diligently.

“I admire that Kobe Braynt [was] a hard worker... he [played] basketball [at] his best,” Kelton Gibbs ’26 said.

At the age of 41, Bryant was in a helicopter with his 13 year old daughter Gianna, flying to her basketball game. However, the helicopter crashed, and the two passed away along with other passengers. This loss left many heartbroken. Bryant’s life was cut short, but his impact on the basketball world transcends his passing, leaving behind a lesson on how determination, work ethic, and a drive to succeed will always take one to great heights. The world didn’t just witness the loss of a great athlete, but also a devoted father and loving husband whose memory continues to touch people’s lives.

“Something I learned from Kobe is that if you work extremely hard, you can achieve almost anything,” Gibbs said.

Jordan Thomspon: Volleyball

With precision and power, Jordan Thompson soars above the net, delivering a hit that sends the ball crashing to the ground. The court is full of lively energy and uplifting cheers from the crowd as they egg her on. With her explosive jumps, unrelenting spirit, and fierce determination, Jordan Thompson is becoming a household name in the volleyball world.

Thompson’s path to becoming an outside hitter for the USA volleyball team wasn’t always so clear. Everyone expected her to follow in her father’s footsteps, who played professional for the Harlem Globetrotters.

However, she turned to volleyball when the intense physical contact that came with basketball grew too much for her. As she continued to play, Thompson’s demeanor changed. At the start, she was more timid and reluctant to play rough, according to her mother in an interview with NBC Sports, but through her journey, she has learned to assert her dominance on court.

“I think part of watching Jordan Thompson play is that she is a complete powerhouse on the court. You can really see it. She’s a natural leader, especially as the outside hitter; not only is she clutch player, she’s also the main attacker on the court,” said Zoe Nuland ’25, a member of the varsity volleyball team. An alumna of the University of Cincinnati, Thompson finished her four years there as an all-time leader in kills, an attack that is recorded when the opponent doesn’t return the ball, setting both a school and National Collegiate Athletic Association record. By the end of the season, the USA volleyball team’s coach, Karch Kiraly, discovered Thompson, who would come up to be starter of the team, a position reserved for a player who sets the tone for the entire match.

However, with great responsibility also comes great challenges. One of the toughest adversities Thompson had to conquer was learning to deal with her injuries. While training at University of Cincinnati, Thompson tore her right arm’s AC, a ligament responsible for supporting the limb. She underwent surgery and kept her arm protected in a brace for two months before fully coming back to her routine. Yet again at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Thompson hurt her ankle and was confined to supporting her teammates from the sidelines. According to an interview with Just Women’s Sports in 2022, through this obstacle, Thompson learned to persevere and come back stronger as an Olympic Gold Medalist.

“She is a passionate player, hard worker, super talented, and she’s completely on top of her mental game, which is such a key aspect to being a great volleyball player. On her Instagram, you can tell that she is constantly putting in work inside and outside the gym,” Nuland said.

Off the court, Thompson works in a partnership with Under Armour for “The Athlete No One Saw Coming” campaign, whose mission is to empower young athletes and provide them opportunities to succeed without being compared to others. One of the few selected athletes for the campaign, Thompson was chosen for her impressive strength and ambition in her sport. As a part of her partnership, she held summer camps for promising athletes, where Thompson gave back to the community by teaching valuable volleyball skills to players and using the sport as a metaphor for persistence in real life.

“She is also a major social and racial justice activist for the Black community, which makes her such an inspiration to not only me but to so many people who follow her story. She is constantly pushing for change in our communities and growth as a nation,” Nuland said.

Like her motto, “There is greatness inside of me and I’m capable of this,” Thompson inspires players to strive for excellence and push beyond the limits of the court, as she sets an example of never giving up.