By: Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports
A number of women’s sports stars have made this year’s Forbes “30 Under 30” list, including Sophia Smith and Angel Reese.
Forbes features 30 people who are changing the game in sports, including Smith, who helped lead the U.S. women’s national team in the 2023 World Cup. Despite a disappointing finish at the tournament, the 23-year-old forward represents the future of the national team, and she also won the NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals for the Portland Thorns.
Reese led the LSU basketball team to its first national title in April 2023. The Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Final Four, the 21-year-old’s national profile skyrocketed, and she has endorsement deals with Reebok, Coach and more. While Reese is off to a rocky start to the new season, including an unexplained four-game absence, she remains among the biggest stars in the college game.
Other honorees from the world of women’s sports include:
- Napheesa Collier, 27, Minnesota Lynx forward
- Jessica Pegula, 29, tennis player
- Kate Douglass, 22, Team USA swimmer
- Sha’Carri Richardson, Team USA sprinter
- Olivia Dunne, 21, LSU gymnast
- Diana Flores, 26, flag football quarterback
- Maddie Musselman, 25, Team USA water polo player
Several more names included on the list come from the business side of women’s sports, including Robyn Brown, who is the senior manager of brand and content strategy for the Phoenix Mercury, and Natalie White, who founded women’s basketball shoe brand Moolah Kicks.