15 Under 25: Philadelphia Sports' Brightest Future Stars

These rising young talents are giving Philly fans hope for the next decade of sports success.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite uncertainty around Philadelphia's professional sports teams, the city's sports landscape is being transformed by an influx of young stars aged 25 and under. From the Eagles' draft picks to the 76ers' young All-Star to the Flyers' rebuild, these 15 athletes are poised to lead Philly's teams to future glory.

Why it matters

Philadelphia is a passionate sports town, and the emergence of these young stars provides a much-needed injection of optimism after recent disappointments. As the city's teams undergo youth movements and roster rebuilds, these 15 athletes represent the future core that could deliver championships and sustained success for Philly fans.

The details

The Eagles have built through the draft, selecting 11 starters in the first two rounds over the last five years. The 76ers landed young All-Star Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecomb to go with their "Process" rebuild. The Flyers have embraced a youth movement under new leadership, adding prospects like Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. And the Phillies, after years of relying on free agents, finally have three homegrown starters on their Opening Day roster for the first time since 2019.

  • The 2026 MLB season marks the first time since 2019 that the Phillies had three players from their own farm system starting on Opening Day.
  • The Eagles have selected 11 starters in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft over the last five years.

The players

Tyrese Maxey

A young All-Star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers who was acquired by President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey as part of the team's ongoing rebuild.

VJ Edgecomb

A rookie forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, part of the team's efforts to infuse young talent as they look to transform into a championship contender.

Trevor Zegras

A young prospect acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers as part of their roster rebuild, expected to be a key part of the team's future.

Jamie Drysdale

Another young player brought in by the Philadelphia Flyers' new leadership team as they overhaul the roster with an eye toward the future.

Howie Roseman

The General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has focused on rebuilding the team through the NFL Draft in recent years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The emergence of these young stars provides a much-needed injection of optimism for Philly fans after some recent disappointments.”

— Josh Hennig, Author

What’s next

As these young athletes continue to develop and gain experience, Philadelphia sports fans will be closely watching to see if they can deliver on the promise of future success for the city's teams.

The takeaway

Philadelphia's sports landscape is undergoing a youth movement, with 15 athletes aged 25 and under poised to lead the city's teams to future glory. After years of disappointment, these rising stars represent a renewed sense of hope and optimism for passionate Philly fans.