Whether they’re competing on local high school fields or at the Olympic Games, Bay Area athletes consistently find ways to capture the attention of sports fans around the world.

One of the country’s most talent-rich regions has produced high-level performers in a wide range of sports. Some are names you know. Others you will get to know.

This month, the Bay Area News Group is highlighting some of the athletes who are poised to dominate their sport for years to come. From top recruits to No. 1 draft picks and national champions to Olympic medalists, our 25 under 25 list offers a closer look at the Bay Area’s rising young stars.

Brandon Aiyuk (24)

Credentials >> The 2020 first-round pick out of Arizona State is an explosive talent on the 49ers’ offense who has more than 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in two NFL seasons.What’s next >> With the speed to take the top off a defense and the shiftiness to break away from defenders in the open field, it’s realistic for Aiyuk to become a perennial 1,000-yard receiver in a 49ers offense that already has another star wideout in Deebo Samuel. Emerging as a reliable option for quarterback Trey Lance will be key for Aiyuk’s future in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.

Zeke Berry (18)

Credentials >> The reigning Bay Area News Group high school football defensive player of the year, Berry led De La Salle to an NCS Open Division title and was the top-ranked recruit in the region as 247 Sports listed him as the No. 53 recruit overall in the Class of 2022.

What’s next >> Berry is enrolling at Michigan, where he’ll play safety under former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh while trying to help the Wolverines repeat as Big Ten champions.

Henry Bolte (18)

Credentials >> The Palo Alto High center fielder was named the 2022 Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division MVP after hitting .441, launching 13 homers and stealing 48 bases in a monster season for the Vikings.

What’s next >> Bolte is committed to play at Texas, but as one of the top draft-eligible high school players in the country, there’s a chance he could be selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft July 17-19 and begin his pro career.

Nick Bosa (24)

Credentials >> Bosa, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and the 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, is already one of the league’s elite pass-rushers.

What’s next >> The Ohio State product is a foundational piece of the 49ers defense and could become a long-term star in the Bay Area assuming he lands what is expected to be a record $100-plus million extension this summer.

Cameron Brink (20)

Credentials >> After she helped lead Stanford’s women’s basketball team to a national title as a freshman, the media selected Brink as the 2022 Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

What’s next >> If head coach Tara VanDerveer wins a fourth national championship, expect Brink, a friend of Stephen Curry who has trained with the Warriors star in the offseason, to play a significant role in leading the way, alongside fellow frontcourt mate and dunker Francesca Belibi. Brink could be a top-three selection when she’s eligible for the 2024 WNBA draft.

Cade Cowell (18)

Credentials >> It has been nearly three years since Cowell, then 15, debuted for the Earthquakes and since that time, he’s been named an MLS All-Star and scored twice for the United States men’s national team.

What’s next >> The Ceres native is already one of the Earthquakes’ best players, but there’s a sense he’s only scratching the surface. Can Cowell transform one of the worst franchises in MLS? Can he be a breakout star on a national team in search of glory? Time will tell for the teenage sensation.

Tierna Davidson (23)

Credentials >> The Menlo Park native and Sacred Heart Prep product was the backbone of the Stanford women’s soccer defense in 2017 when she won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. After forgoing her senior season to turn pro, Davidson was selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NWSL draft by the Chicago Red Stars.

What’s next >> The youngest member of the 2019 USWNT World Cup roster, Davidson has a hurdle to clear if she hopes to take the field in the 2023 World Cup. After tearing her ACL in March, she has 12 months to return to form before the US takes the field in the event hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Amit Elor (18)

Credentials >> Elor became the first College Park High (Pleasant Hill) student-athlete to win a CIF state title in 2019 when the freshman wrestler overwhelmed her competition in the 150-pound weight division. Since then, she has taken the world wrestling scene by storm, winning the 2021 world championships in the 68 kg weight class without giving up a point on the mat.

What’s next >> After her state title, Elor spoke of Olympic gold medal dreams, and those dreams appear to be in reach for a dominant wrestler who could be a factor on the US team in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Naomi Girma (22)

Credentials >> The San Jose native was a star at Pioneer High before serving as a defensive anchor for a Stanford women’s soccer team that won the 2019 national championship. Girma was the No. 1 overall pick in the National Women’s Soccer League draft this year by the San Diego Wave.

What’s next >> Girma’s next challenge is one of the toughest in all of North American sports, and that’s cracking the starting lineup for the U.S. women’s national team. The two-time All-America honoree made her national team debut in April against Uzbekistan, and the veteran-laden squad could use an infusion of youth headed into the 2023 World Cup.

Najee Harris (24)

Credentials >> One of the most prolific prep football players in Bay Area history, the Antioch High product starred at Alabama. He became the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns before being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What’s next >> After rushing for 1,200 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Harris is now the face of the Steelers offense and will look to lead Pittsburgh back to the postseason. Away from the field, Harris’ “Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation” focuses on assisting underserved families in reaching their potential and goals here in Northern California.

Kyle Harrison (20)

Credentials >> The De La Salle product intended to enroll at UCLA, but the San Francisco Giants constructed their entire 2020 draft strategy around selecting Harrison, who passed on the chance to play for the Bruins after being taken in the third round.

What’s next >> As the top pitching prospect in the Giants’ organization, a September call-up isn’t out of the question for the lefty who has drawn comparisons to Madison Bumgarner. Harrison has struck out more than 35 percent of the batters he has faced since turning pro and has all the making of San Francisco’s next homegrown ace.

Rachel Heck (21)

Credentials >> Heck became the third woman in NCAA history to sweep the postseason by winning conference, regional and national individual golf championships for Stanford in 2021. This spring, she signed the first-ever Nike Golf name, image and likeness deal, and according to GolfDigest, the fourth-ranked amateur in the world also has commitments with Ping, Stifel Financial, Six Star Pro Nutrition and Whistle Sports.

What’s next >> Heck assuredly has a future on the LPGA Tour, but recently announced that she plans to “pursue my Air Force dreams after college.” In a June Instagram post, Heck said she was medically disqualified from the ROTC due to medical problems.

Sabrina Ionescu (24)

Credentials >> A star from the moment she stepped on the court at Miramonte High (Orinda), Ionescu shined at Oregon where she won two John Wooden Awards as the nation’s top player before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty.

What’s next >> The 2022 WNBA All-Star became the youngest player in league history to record multiple triple-doubles, but she has yet to turn the Liberty into a powerhouse. Still improving, Ionescu has long been one of the faces of women’s basketball and can continue to help the WNBA attract new fans while rewriting the record book.

Kanak Jha (22)

Credentials >> A Milpitas High product, Jha is a four-time U.S. national champion in table tennis who has twice represented the country at the Olympic Games (2016, 2020).

What’s next >> Jha lost 4-2 to Russia’s Kirill Skachkov in the round of 64 at the Tokyo Olympics, but secured the only victory for the United States in a first-round team loss to Sweden. Jha can pursue more national championships, but his eyes are likely set on the 2024 Paris Olympics as the United States has never had a medalist in the event.

Haley Jones (21)

Credentials >> The pride of Archbishop Mitty High, Jones was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2019 when she signed to play for Stanford. Since arriving on campus, Jones has won a national title, been named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and is a two-time All-America honoree.From Page 1

Jonathan Kuminga (19)

Credentials >> Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuminga moved to the United States in 2016 to pursue his NBA dream that was realized when the Warriors selected him No. 7 overall in the 2020 draft.

What’s next >> Take it from Klay Thompson, who said in January, “One day down the line it will be (Kuminga’s) team, or he’ll be a huge part of this team.” The 6-foot-7 wing has all-world athleticism, but must continue to refine his skills while helping the Warriors keep their championship window open.

Trey Lance (22)

Credentials >> Lance was an FCS national champion at North Dakota State whom the 49ers traded up to take No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL draft.

What’s next >> After starting just two games as a rookie, Lance is expected to replace Jimmy Garoppolo in one of the highest-profile jobs in North American sports: starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. The franchise’s quest to end a nearly three-decade title drought and secure a sixth Super Bowl title depends on Lance’s successful transition from the second division of college football to one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

Nidal Nasser (24)

Credentials >> A San Bruno native, Nasser is one of the most prolific e-sports players in the brief history of the NBA 2K League. The 2K League’s all-time leader in 5v5 play in points, assists and games played by a point guard, Nasser was named league MVP in 2019.

What’s next >> The Warriors Gaming Squad acquired Nasser in a three-team trade in June, bringing him home to one of the most dominant teams in the league. The team announced Nasser will transition from point guard to shooting guard with the Warriors, creating a new challenge for a player who ranks as one of the sport’s best.

Jordan Poole (23)

Credentials >> The No. 28 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of Michigan, the sharpshooting guard rebounded from two disastrous seasons to emerge as one of the league’s most improved players while playing a pivotal role on the Warriors’ 2022 championship squad.

What’s next >> A potential anchor of the Warriors’ next core, continued improvement could make Poole a candidate to sign a nine-figure contract and be Golden State’s next homegrown All-Star.

Jewel Roemer (20)

Credentials >> The Acalanes High graduate, one of the best water polo players in the country, led Stanford to a 2022 NCAA title and was recently named an alternate for the United States’ roster at the 2022 FINA World Championships.

What’s next >> Following in the wake of Danville native and women’s national team star Maggie Steffens, Roemer will look to eventually crack the United States starting lineup and could develop into one of the team’s most important scoring threats headed into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Camryn Rogers (23)

CREDENTIALS >> A specialist in the hammer throw at Cal, the Vancouver-area native became the Bears’ first-ever finalist for the Bowerman Award, given annually to the top NCAA track and field athlete. Rogers has rewritten college record books in the hammer throw, winning her third national title this year and breaking her own collegiate record three times this season.

What’s next >> Rogers placed fifth representing Canada in the hammer throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and after making steady progress in her career at Cal, she could take the next step in her career at the 2024 Paris Games by earning an Olympic medal.

Regan Smith (20)

Credentials >> A three-time Olympic medalist and 2019 World Swimmer of the Year, Smith wrapped up her freshman season at Stanford this year by winning her first individual title, finishing almost two seconds ahead of the field in the 200-yard backstroke.

What’s next >> With two silver medals and one bronze on her Olympic resume, the elite backstroker will be chasing gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Smith currently owns the 200-meter backstroke world record and is looking to regain the 100-meter backstroke world record she set in 2019.

Spencer Torkelson (22)

Credentials >> The Casa Grande (Petaluma) High alum broke Barry Bonds’ Arizona State record for home runs by a freshman with 25 en route to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

What’s next >> Torkelson cracked the Tigers’ 2022 Opening Day roster, but has struggled in his first season with a sub-.200 average for one of the worst teams in the majors. Torkelson’s individual improvement is critical for Detroit’s rebuilding project.

Rose Zhang (19)

Credentials >> The top-ranked amateur women’s golfer in the world since September 2020, Zhang won an individual national title as a freshman at Stanford this year and swept every major postseason award.

What’s next >> Zhang became the first student-athlete to sign a name, image and likeness deal with Adidas, which promises to make her one of the faces of women’s golf. Whenever she turns pro, Zhang is expected to be a force on the LPGA Tour and a frequent contender for major championships.

Vincent Zhou (21)

Credentials >> Born in San Jose and raised in Palo Alto, Zhou earned a silver medal in the team figure skating event with the United States at the 2022 Olympics, but he and other teammates believe they deserve a gold due to a doping scandal involving a Russian skater. Zhou also earned a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the 2022 world figure skating championships.

What’s next >> A positive COVID-19 test forced Zhou to withdraw from the men’s singles event at the 2022 Olympics, robbing him of the chance to compete for an individual medal. It’s unclear whether Zhou will pursue more medals at the 2026 Olympics as he’s reportedly focused on pursuing an undergraduate degree at Brown University.