{"numbering":"desc","slides":[{"index":25,"title":"Ashley Wagner","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Wagner_A_USATSI_10525453.jpg","credit":"© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Wagner was born on an army base in Germany but moved to Alexandria, Virginia before attending West Potomac High School. She currently lives in Boston.

Bio: Wagner, a figure skater, became the first American woman to reach the podium at the World Championships in a decade when she won silver in 2016.

A bronze medalist at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Wagner is one of the most celebrated American figure skaters since two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan retired in 2006.

After taking online classes at Northern Virginia Community College during her skating career but never finishing her degree, Wagner has enrolled in Northeastern University to become a psychologist.

"},{"index":24,"title":"Vontae Davis","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Davis_V_USATSI_8336590.jpg","credit":"© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Davis is a native of Washington, D.C., and he played football for Dunbar High School.

Bio: Davis played at Illinois for three years and received First-Team All-Big Ten honors twice.

He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. While at Miami, Davis established himself as one of the AFC East's top cornerbacks.

Davis was later traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 for a second-round draft pick. Davis continued to dominate with the Colts and earned Pro Bowl selections in 2014 and 2015. He retired after the 2018 season.

"},{"index":23,"title":"Ronald Darby","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Darby_R_Higgins_T_USATSI_15224095.jpg","credit":"© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Darby was born in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He played football for Potomac High School before playing for Florida State in college.

Bio: With Florida State, Darby won three ACC championships and one National Championship in 2013.

The Buffalo Bills drafted the cornerback in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Darby ended up having an impressive rookie season with 61 solo tackles, 21 pass deflections and two interceptions.

He then spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Washington Football Team on a one-year deal in 2020. Darby's strong play in D.C. earned him a three-year, $30 million deal with the Denver Broncos.

"},{"index":22,"title":"Helen Maroulis","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Maroulis_H_USATSI_9172230.jpg","credit":"© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Maroulis is a native of Rockville, Maryland. She attended Magruder High School before moving to Marquette, Michigan.

Bio: While at Magruder, Maroulis became the first ever girl to place in the Maryland Wrestling State Championships.

She later wrestled at Simon Fraser University where she became a four-time WCWA women’s college national champion.

After years of competing in the World Championships, Maroulis competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. There, she became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling.

"},{"index":21,"title":"Ali Krieger","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Krieger_A_USATSI_13150349.jpg","credit":"© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Krieger is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. She played for Hylton High School before transferring to Forest Park High School in Woodbridge.

Bio: Krieger played four years at Penn State, where she earned multiple honors for her outstanding performances as a defender.

After college, the 33-year-old found success at the professional level with teams like the Washington Spirit, Washington Freedom and FFC Frankfurt. She currently plays for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.

Krieger also has 98 caps with the United States Women’s National Team. She was part of the 2011 and winning 2015 Women's World Cup teams for the United States.

"},{"index":20,"title":"Jeff Green","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Green_J_USATSI_15974800.jpg","credit":"© Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Green is a native of Cheverly, Maryland and he played basketball for Northwestern High School in Prince George's County before being recruited by Georgetown.

Bio: Green earned several awards and accolades at Georgetown before being drafted by the Boston Celtics and later traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007.

After three season with the SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Green was traded back to the Celtics where he averaged 15 points and four rebounds per game in two seasons.

Green, now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, has played for 10 different teams across 13 seasons in the NBA.

"},{"index":19,"title":"Yannick Ngakoue","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ngakoue_Y_USATSI_15143558_0.jpg","credit":"© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Ngakoue played football for Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School in Washington D.C. He later played for the University of Maryland in college.

Bio: Ngakoue was a major difference-maker for the Terps during his three years in College Park. In 2015, he broke the school's single-season sacks record with 13.5 total sacks as a junior.

After foregoing his senior season, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Ngakoue in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He turned in a 12-sack season in 2017 that earned him a Pro Bowl appearance before forcing a trade two years later. Ngakoue split the 2020 season between the Vikings and Ravens.

"},{"index":18,"title":"Markelle Fultz","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Fultz_M_USATSI_14802597.jpg","credit":"© Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Fultz is a native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He played high school basketball at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville before being recruited by the University of Washington.

Bio: Coming out of high school, Fultz was regarded as one of the top prospects in the nation.

In one season with the Washington Huskies, Fultz emerged as the top player in the country. He averaged 23 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

He then declared for the draft and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with with first-overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Fultz struggled to live up to his draft status in Philadelphia before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2019. He's currently recovering from a torn ACL he suffered eight games into the 2020-21 season.

"},{"index":17,"title":"Bill Hamid","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Hamid_B_USATSI_14152828.jpg","credit":"© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Hamid is a native of Annandale, Virginia. He played soccer at Annandale High School and later DeMatha Catholic.

Bio: Hamid signed to D.C. United in 2009 and made his professional debut a year later when he was only 19.

The Virginia native quickly became one of the league's top goalkeepers. In 2012, Hamid had 88 saves and only allowed 24 goals. Two years later, he was voted the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

After eight seasons with D.C. United, Hamid left the club FC Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga only to return a year later.

"},{"index":16,"title":"Cameron Wake","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Wake_C_USATSI_11949747.jpg","credit":"© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Wake was born in Beltsville, Maryland, and played high school football at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville.

Bio: After graduating from Penn State, the defensive end went undrafted and later had a short and successful stint in the CFL with the B.C. Lions.

In two seasons with the Lions, Wake earned several honors including the league's Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2007 and the Most Outstanding Defensive Player awards for 2007 and 2008.

The Beltsville native later signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he earned five Pro Bowl selections and racked up 98 sacks in 10 seasons before finishing his career with the Tennessee Titans in 2019.

"},{"index":15,"title":"Joe Haden","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Haden_J_USATSI_15142415.jpg","credit":"© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Haden was born in Fort Washington, Maryland. He played football at Friendly High School before being recruited by the University of Florida.

Bio: While at Florida, Haden was named a unanimous All-American in 2009, the same year he and his team won a national championship.

The Cleveland Browns drafted the cornerback in 2010 with the seventh overall pick. Haden found success with the Browns and was a Pro Bowler in 2013 and 2014.

The Browns released Haden in 2017. He's played for the Pittsburgh Steelers ever since, returning to the Pro Bowl in 2019.

"},{"index":14,"title":"Kyle Snyder","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Snyder_K_USATSI_10715981.jpg","credit":"© Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Snyder is a native of Woodbine, Maryland. He wrestled at Out Lady of Good Counsel High School in Montgomery County before being recruited to Ohio State.

Bio: Snyder is the youngest Olympic Gold medalist and the youngest World Champion in American wrestling history. It was clear he was on the fast track to the Olympics in high school, where Snyder amassed an impressive 179-0 record.

At Ohio State, Snyder won three NCAA Championships, two Big Ten titles and the NCAA Championship's Most Outstanding Wrestler award in 2016.

The Maryland native won a gold medal at 97 kilograms at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and has two Pan American Championships to his name.

"},{"index":13,"title":"NaVorro Bowman","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bowman_N_USATSI_10213377.jpg","credit":"© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Bowman was born in District Heights, Maryland. He later played football at Suitland High School in Forestville before being recruited by Penn State.

Bio: After a couple standout seasons with Penn State, Bowman was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

With San Francisco, Bowman became one of the most talented linebackers in the league. He was named to three Pro Bowls and earned four First-team All-Pro honors.

Bowman finished his career in 2017 with 798 career tackles, 48 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks and five interceptions over seven seasons with the 49ers and Oakland Raiders.

"},{"index":12,"title":"Brian Westbrook","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Westbrook_B_USATSI_3567476.jpg","credit":"© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Westbrook was born in Fort Washington, Maryland and played high school football at DeMatha Catholic.

Bio: Westbrook played at Villanova for two seasons before the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

With the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, Westbrook had 6,335 career rushing yards, 41 rushing touchdowns and nearly 4,000 receiving yards.

The two-time Pro Bowler retired from football in 2012 and was later inducted to the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2015.

"},{"index":11,"title":"Chase Young","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Young_C_USATSI_15287042.jpg","credit":"© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Young was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. After a stint at Pallotti High School, he played football at DeMatha Catholic in the vaunted Washington Catholic Athletic Conference before attending Ohio State.

Bio: In three seasons with the Buckeyes, Young amassed 30.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for a loss. He was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

The Washington Football Team drafted Young second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with seven and a half sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 12 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

With Young in tow, Washington's defense allowed the fourth-fewest points and second-fewest yards in the NFL in 2020.

"},{"index":10,"title":"Victor Oladipo","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Oladipo_V_USATSI_15833740.jpg","credit":"© Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Oladipo was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and grew up in the Upper Marlboro area of Prince George's County. He later attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville to play basketball.

Bio: After three seasons at Indiana University, Oladipo was drafted to the Orlando Magic with the second-overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

With the Magic, Oladipo found immediate success as a rookie, earning NBA All-Rookie Team honors in 2014. In three seasons with the Magic, Oladipo averaged nearly 16 points per game, four rebounds and four assists.

Oladipo has since been traded four times, most recently to the Miami Heat. Various injuries have prevented him from playing more than 40 games each of the last three seasons.

"},{"index":9,"title":"Dave Bing","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bing_D_USATSI_13212698.jpg","credit":"© PATRICIA BECK, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Servic","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Bing was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Spingarn High School in the District before joining Syracuse University.

Bio: After three strong seasons for the Orange that included a selection as a consensus All-American, Bing was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1966 NBA Draft.

Bing averaged 20 points per game and nabbed the Rookie of the Year award. He spent nine seasons with the Pistons before joining the Washington Bullets for two years and the Boston Celtics for one.

The seven-time All-Star finished his career with three All-NBA selections and a scoring title. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.

"},{"index":8,"title":"Vernon Davis","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Davis_V_USATSI_13328759.jpg","credit":"© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Davis was born in Washington D.C. and later played football for Dunbar High School. He decided to stay local and played college football at the University of Maryland.

Bio: Davis was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2006 NFL Draft.

He spent nearly 10 seasons with the 49ers, where he grabbed 55 receiving touchdowns and collected 5,640 yards.

After a stint with the Denver Broncos and a brief return to the 49ers, Washington signed the veteran tight end in 2016. He finished his career in D.C., catching 122 passes for 1,721 yards and eight touchdowns across four seasons.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Jonathan Ogden","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ogden_J_USATSI_7364362.jpg","credit":"© Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Ogden is a native of Washington D.C., where he played high school football for St. Albans School before being recruited by UCLA.

Bio: After four successful years at UCLA, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Ogden in 1996 with the fourth overall pick.

During his career with Baltimore, Ogden won a Super Bowl in 2001 and was named to 11 Pro Bowls. The D.C. native was also selected as part of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.

Ogden played 12 seasons with the Ravens before officially retiring from football in 2008. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

"},{"index":6,"title":"Elgin Baylor","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Baylor_E_USATSI_5055408.jpg","credit":"© Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Baylor was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Spingarn High School in the District before starting his college career at Seattle University.

Bio: One of the NBA's best players in the 1960s, Baylor teamed up with Jerry West to form one of the most feared duos in league history.

After being selected first overall by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958, Baylor averaged 24.9 points and 15 rebounds per game in his first season and won Rookie of the Year.

He went on to make 11 All-Star teams and 10 All-NBA rosters throughout his career. Baylor was also the first player in NBA history to eclipse 70 points in a game, dropping 71 in 1960.

Baylor was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.

"},{"index":5,"title":"Stefon Diggs","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Diggs_S_USATSI_15370409.jpg","credit":"© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Diggs played high school football at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Montgomery County and college football for the University of Maryland.

Bio: Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, becoming one of the Vikings' top receiving threats.

In five seasons with the Vikings, he accrued 4,623 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns. He'll forever be remembered among fans for the Minneapolis Miracle, a circus catch he made against the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of the 2017 playoffs that won the game.

Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills over the 2020 offseason and he turned in his best season to date, leading the NFL in catches (127) and receiving yards (1,535).

"},{"index":4,"title":"Grant Hill","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Hill_G_USATSI_10567597.jpg","credit":"© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Hill moved to Reston, Virginia and grew up there after his father Calvin Hill was traded to the Washington Football Team. Hill played at South Lakes High School before being recruited by Duke.

Bio: Hill won two national championships with Duke and several other honors before he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1994 with the third overall pick.

The seven-time NBA All-Star went on to have success with several other teams, including the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns.

He scored 17,137 points in his career and was the league's Co-Rookie of the Year in 1995.

Hill officially retired from the NBA in 2013 after playing 19 seasons.

"},{"index":3,"title":"Sugar Ray Leonard","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Leonard_Sugar_Ray_USATSI_13029871.jpg","credit":"© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Leonard was born in North Carolina but spent most of his childhood in Palmer Park, Maryland. He attended Parkdale High School in Prince George's County.

Bio: With wins over boxing greats like Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler, Leonard is one of the greatest boxers to ever set foot in the ring.

Before becoming a professional boxer, Leonard won Olympic gold at the 1976 games in Montreal.

He would go on to win multiple titles at the welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

Leonard retired from boxing in 1997 with a (36-3-1) overall record.

"},{"index":2,"title":"Katie Ledecky","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ledecky_K_USATSI_10089373.jpg","credit":"© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Born in Washington D.C., Ledecky grew up in Bethesda and attended Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart prep school.

Bio: Ledecky was just 15 years old when she burst onto the Olympic scene.

In 2016, the two-time Olympian and six-time Olympic medalist became the first woman to win individual gold in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter freestyle events since the 1968 Olympics. She also won an additional gold medal and a silver for the 4x200-meter freestyle and 4x100 freestyle relays, respectively.

In college, Ledecky swam for Stanford and won eight individual NCAA titles and two team championships. She was named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year in 2017.

Ledecky has also appeared in four World Championships, winning 15 gold medals and three silvers. She holds the world record for the most individual-event world titles among female swimmers.

"},{"index":1,"title":"Kevin Durant","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/gallery/hero/Durant_K_USATSI_15513237.jpg","credit":"© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports","published":1620399600,"caption":"

Local Ties: Born in Suitland, Maryland, Durant played high school basketball in the D.C. area at Montrose Christian School, National Christian Academy and Oak Hill Academy.

Bio: After being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder from the University of Texas with the No. 2 overall pick in 2007, Durant quickly emerged as one of the league's best players.

He's an 11-time All-Star, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA Finals champion and the 2013-14 league MVP.

Now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, Durant is chasing a third ring alongside James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

"}]}

Kevin Durant, Stefon Diggs among DMV's 25 most famous athletes