The 2026 TIME100 Next list just hit, celebrating the world’s most influential rising stars, and trust me, some of these stories are absolutely wild. Right at the top, Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles made the cut, fresh off a season where she shattered Caitlin Clark’s all-time rookie record for total points and led her team to the WNBA playoffs’ top seed, only to get bounced in an upset elimination game the very next day. Talk about a rollercoaster of a week!
Record-Breaking Rookie, Then Playoff Heartbreak
Miles, only 23, was straight-up incredible in her first year, earning the 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year title. She wasn’t just good, she was historically good, leading the Lynx to the top seed in the WNBA playoffs and absolutely demolishing Caitlin Clark’s all-time rookie record for total points. WNBA legend Sue Bird herself penned Miles’ profile for the list, dishing out compliments for bringing a new personal and playing style to the league. Bird even said you can “imagine her having great individual success” and “winning championships.” She noted, “Olivia is only just beginning to scratch the surface.” What a moment for a rising star, right? Except the very next day, the Lynx got upset and eliminated by the Liberty, with Miles held to a mere five points. From breaking records and getting named to a prestigious list to a heartbreaking playoff exit in less than 24 hours. That’s a brutal gut punch.
LeBron’s Maxey Truth Bomb and Arch Manning’s Texas Takeover
But Miles isn’t the only electrifying talent on this list. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, at 25, also made the cut, and his story is just as compelling. He put up a career-high 28.3 points per game in his sixth season with the Sixers, showing exactly why he’s considered one of the league’s brightest young stars. His profile was penned by none other than his new teammate, LeBron James, who straight-up admitted that his relationship with Maxey “definitely influenced my decision to come to Philadelphia and join the 76ers.” LeBron went on to call Maxey “a joy to be around” and emphasized that it’s up to the teammates to “continue to push him to be as great as he can be.” That’s a massive co-sign from the King himself.
Then there’s college football phenom Arch Manning, 22, who landed on the list after leading Texas to a perfect 4-0 start to his second season as a full-time starter. Longhorns superfan and actor Matthew McConaughey wrote Manning’s profile, talking about how he’s expecting “big things” from Arch, especially with a brutal upcoming stretch of five straight games against ranked opponents. McConaughey noted Manning’s “promising second half to last season,” some “added offensive weapons,” and that “the occasion for Arch’s inner confidence to deal with the brightest lights has never been more lit.” Sounds like he’s ready for prime time.
The TIME100 Next list always spotlights the future, and these athletes are absolutely torching it right now. We’ve got Balogun, who just led the USMNT to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, proving he’s clutch on the biggest stage. And WTA No. 18 Alexandra Eala, who Rafael Nadal called a “true phenomenon,” is eyeing a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. These are the names making waves, and if this list tells us anything, it’s that we’re only just scratching the surface of what these athletes are going to achieve. Whether it’s Maxey tearing it up with LeBron, Manning facing down ranked opponents, Balogun leading the USMNT, or Eala chasing Olympic dreams, you better believe we’ll be watching every single move.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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