Off the court, Naomi Osaka shies away from attention. On it, she thrives off a rowdy crowd. It's just one of the paradoxes that has so far worked for the US Open champ, and what will propel her to become one of tennis' biggest stars by Aishwarya Kumar.

Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Deland McCullough went searching for his biological parents. He found them where he never would have expected. By Sarah Spain

Go inside Odell Beckham Jr.'s quest to recapture the magic that made him the NFL's most eye-catching talent. Written by Seth Wickersham.

We canvassed every level of football to find the 14 Nick Saban stories that reveal the legendary coach's humor, grace and obsessive devotion to domination. By Kevin Van Valkenberg.

The optics of inter-gender wrestling can be shocking. But those who participate say pitting women against men in the ring is a step toward equality. By Hallie Grossman

The incredible story of a high school star's recovery from a terrifying brain injury, and how it changed the way he and his family, friends and coaches see the sport. By Tim Keown.

Kirk Cousins faces Super Bowl expectations, but in Holland, Michigan, family and friends keep him grounded -- and rib him for writing book reports, by Courtney Cronin.

Boxing trainer Ramon Sosa was marked for death by his wife. This is the story of how he survived thanks to a surprising savior. By Tisha Thompson and Kevin Shaw.

After the deaths of 17 of their own, the friends and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attempt to honor the lives of those lost, By Liz Merrill and Steve Wulf

Inside the King's decision and how it instantly changed the Lakers, the Cavaliers and the entire NBA, by Ramona Shelburne.

The first question Czech tennis ace Petra Kvitova asked after he hand was slashed in a violent attack was: Will I play at Wimbledon again? Now, 18 months later, she's aiming for her third Grand Slam title, by Bonnie Ford.

In honor of the tenth anniversary of ESPN The Magazine's Body issue, we brought together a panel of editors to discuss the legacy of this project.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Disney's "Mulan" we are highlighting a piece that celebrates the power of Asian women athletes. An exploration of the competitive alter-ego of Olympic taekwondo medalist Paige McPherson. By Cynthia Oka.

Lionel Messi only seems like the least interesting man in the world. Listen closely and his silence speaks louder than most athletes' shouts. By Sam Borden

A look back at 13 amazing tales -- some you might not know and some you might've forgotten -- as LeBron James plays on during his 13th postseason. By Dave McMenamin and Brian Windhorst.

By the time opponents know what's hit them, it's already too late. This is how the Warriors crush -- and how the NBA fails to fight back. By Baxter Holmes.

For Chicago White Sox grounds crew member Nevest Coleman, the journey from prison to exoneration is a story of time lost, new beginnings and a murder that remains a mystery. By Wayne Drehs.

In search of the real Mike Tomlin, a coach who's been celebrated and derided - but rarely understood. By Tom Junod.

Boston's second-year swingman was once so broken up about basketball that he became physically ill. Now he's breaking out on the NBA's biggest stage. By Jackie MacMullan.

The NFL draft's top RB was a superstar long before Penn State in a tiny town still big enough to turn out a crowd almost double its size to honor him. By Ian O'Connor

"Wonder Boy" is heading to the NBA, and he's out to change how we think about European imports. By Mina Kimes.

So far, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani is living up to Ruthian expectations. But how will he possibly keep this up? We trace his journey back to Japan in search of the surprising answer.

In an exclusive interview, the would-be franchise QB goes deep on the NCAA, contemplates the fate of the planet and answers the critics who think he's radioactive. By Sam Alipour

The death of his father set a battle raging inside the world's greatest golfer. How he waged that war -- through an obsession with the Navy SEALs -- is the tale of how Tiger lost his way. By Wright Thompson.

In 2010, the manager was a failed experiment. Now he's a World Series winner. What changed? Only the entire philosophy of MLB. By Tim Keown