Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award List of winners List of winners

| Year_ | Sportsperson | Nationality | Team | Competition_federation_or_league | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Daunte Culpepper | United States | Minnesota Vikings | National Football League | American football |
| 2002 | Tom Brady | United States | New England Patriots | National Football League | American football |
| 2003 | Alfonso Soriano | Dominican Republic | New York Yankees | Major League Baseball | Baseball |
| 2004 | LeBron James | United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | National Basketball Association | Basketball |
| 2005 | Dwyane Wade | United States | Miami Heat | National Basketball Association | Basketball |
| 2006 | Chris Paul | United States | New Orleans Hornets | National Basketball Association | Basketball |
| 2007 | Devin Hester | United States | Chicago Bears | National Football League | American football |
| 2008 | Adrian Peterson | United States | Minnesota Vikings | National Football League | American football |
| 2009 | Matt Ryan | United States | Atlanta Falcons | National Football League | American football |