NBA forward
Age: 34
How he dominated the decade: LeBron James' decade-defining achievement was a run of eight straight Finals appearances, with three championships, highlighted by a 3-1 comeback over the Golden State Warriors to bring Cleveland one of the most meaningful titles in sports history. Along the way, James became the most consistent force in basketball, a 6-foot-8 blend of power and grace, able to bend each game to his will. Basketball historians will one day marvel at the fact that James, from 2009-10 to 2019-20, averaged remarkable 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, a stat line that is unmatched by any other player in that span, yet still undersells James' impact.
He rang in the 2010s with his shocking "Decision" to join the Miami Heat, creating an era of player empowerment that still resonates today. He has changed teams twice since, played on unprecedented year-to-year contracts to maximize his earnings, and become a force unto himself in sports, both on and off the court. Perhaps most remarkably, James, turning 35 in late December, enters the 2020s in near-peak form, with the ability to add more to his legacy. — Scott Davis