Volleyball is a sport that people of all ages and genders enjoy. It is a relatively simple game to understand and play, which makes it accessible to everyone. Volleyball is also physically demanding, requiring speed, agility, strength, and stamina.
There are many famous volleyball players, both men, and women. Some of the most famous volleyball players include:
37 World Famous Volleyball Players
1. Randy Stoklos
Randy Stoklos is a retired American beach volleyball player. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, and his accomplishments reflect this. During his career, Stoklos won a record 123 career titles, including three world championships.
He was also the first beach volleyball player to earn more than $1 million in prize money. In 2000, Stoklos retired from professional play, but he remains active in the sport as a coach and commentator. His passion for the game is evident in all that he does, and he continues to inspire new generations of players.
2. Charles Kiraly (Karch)
Charles Kiraly is one of the most successful volleyball players of all time. He holds the record for the most indoor and beach volleyball wins and has won championships at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels.
Kiraly began his career at UCLA, leading the Bruins to an NCAA title in 1979. He won gold medals in indoor and beach volleyball at the 1984 and 1996 Olympics. In 2000, Kiraly was named “Player of the Century” by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
After retiring from playing professionally, Kiraly became the head coach of the United States women’s national volleyball team. Under his leadership, the team won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. Charles Kiraly is one of history’s most decorated and successful volleyball players. His accomplishments on the court have made him a legend in the sport.
3. Kerri Walsh Jennings
Kerri Walsh Jennings is one of the most successful volleyball players in history. She won three Olympic Gold medals with partner Misty May Treanor; Walsh is a 4-time NCAA National Champion and 2-time conference champion. Married to Casey Jennings, another successful volleyball athlete, Kerri Walsh has had a fantastic career.
In 2011, she was named the AVP Most Valuable Player and the AVP Best Defensive Player. She has also been named to the All-American team six times. With all of her accomplishments, it’s no wonder she is considered one of the best volleyball players of all time!
4. Matt Anderson
Matt Anderson is one of the most accomplished volleyball players in the world. A four-time Olympian, he has helped the United States men’s national team to two World League titles and one World Cup championship. Anderson’s impressive individual statistics are also a testament to his skill as a player.
He is the all-time leader in kills for the U.S. national team, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2016 Olympic Games. In addition to his success on the court, Anderson is known for his sportsmanship and leadership qualities.
He is respected by teammates and opponents alike and has served as captain of the U.S. national team on multiple occasions. With his combination of talent, experience, and character, Matt Anderson is one of the most respected players in volleyball today.
5. Bernardo Rezende
Bernardo Rezende is one of the most successful coaches in the history of volleyball, with over 30 major titles. He has won two Olympic gold medals as head coach of the Brazil men’s national volleyball team and is also a three-time World Champion.
As of 2021, with 48 medals overall, he is the most successful team sports coach. Rezende is known for his innovative coaching methods, which have helped him to achieve such success. He is also highly respected by his peers and was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2009. There is no doubt that Bernardo Rezende is a true legend of the sport.
6. Misty May-Treanor
Misty May-Treanor is one of the most decorated athletes in beach volleyball history. A California native, she won an NCAA Championship in 1998 as part of Long Beach State’s team. After being selected by USA Today as the best high school female volleyball player in 1994, she played professionally with Holly McPeak for a short time before finding her ideal partner in Kerri Walsh Jennings. The two became virtually unstoppable, winning nearly 120 career titles, including three Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012).
In addition to her success on the sand, Misty May-Treanor is known for her work off the court. She has been a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports and has participated in numerous charitable endeavors. Misty May-Treanor, a true pioneer in her sport, has left a lasting legacy both on and off the volleyball court.
7. Clayton Stanley
Clayton Stanley was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 29, 1983. He played college volleyball at the University of Hawaii before beginning his professional career with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2005. He won his first Olympic gold medal as a member of the 2008 Summer Olympics team and followed that up with a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In between his Olympic appearances, Clayton helped the U.S. team win the World League in 2008 and the NORCECA Championship in 2005. He retired from the national team after the 2016 Olympics but continues to play professionally overseas. Clayton was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2021.
8. Jordan Larson
If you’re a volleyball lover, then you’re probably familiar with Jordan Larson. She’s a three-time Olympic medalist, having won gold at the 2014 World Championship, Rimini Volleyball Nations League, and 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
She also won silver at the 2012 London Summer Olympics and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In January 2022, she was named assistant coach for the University of Texas women’s volleyball team.
9. Sérgio Santos
Sérgio Santos is one of the most successful volleyball players of all time. He has won an Olympic Gold Medal and a World Champion title.
Santos’s skills on the court have made him a fan favorite worldwide. Moreover, He also has multiple medals in other prestigious tournaments.
10. Regla Torres Herrera
Regla Torres Herrera is an amazing volleyball player. She is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and was the youngest player to win an Olympic gold medal in volleyball. She retired at age 30, which is pretty young for an athlete. But she has continued to be a well-respected coach, commentator, and ambassador for women’s volleyball.
11. Sinjin Smith
Sinjin Smith is a two-time World Champion and one of the most popular players in history. His net worth is estimated at $2 million, and he has won championships with Randy Stoklos, considered one of the best players of all time. Smith is known for his powerful serve and his trademark windmill swing. He was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2001.
12. Ricardo Lucarelli Souza
Ricardo Lucarelli Souza is a Brazilian volleyball player who achieved great success at a young age. He was part of the Brazilian team that won gold at the 2016 Olympics, and he has also won medals in other major championships. Ricardo is one of the sport’s brightest young stars, and he will surely achieve even more success in the future.
13. Micah Christenson
Micah Christenson is a volleyball player who has achieved great success at the international level. He won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and gold medals at the World League and World Cup. He is also a NORCECA Champion. Christenson is a highly talented and should be watched closely in future tournaments.
14. Lloy Ball
Lloy Ball is a volleyball legend who has achieved remarkable things on and off the court. He is an inductee to the International Hall of Fame and has won multiple gold medals and championships. He is also the father of an accomplished volleyball player in his own right. Together, they operate a successful volleyball clinic.
15. Murilo Endres
Murilo Endres is a world-renowned volleyball player who has achieved great success both on the national and international stages. He is a two-time silver medalist at the Olympic Games and a World Champion.
He has also won numerous medals in competitions such as the World League, South American Championship, and more. Endres is widely considered one of the best volleyball players in the world, and he has inspired many other athletes to pursue careers in volleyball.
16. Sheilla Tavares de Castro
Sheilla Tavares de Castro is a Brazilian professional volleyball player representing her country in two Olympic gold medal teams. She is a multiple MVP Award winner and took a break from the sport to become a mother but has since returned. Sheilla Tavares de Castro still has plenty of time to become even more famous.
17. Wallace de Souza
Wallace de Souza is a Brazilian professional volleyball player who has achieved outstanding national and international success. Wallace is a 2016 Olympic Champion and a two-time silver medallist of the Olympic Games. He has also been a three-time South American Champion and was part of the Brazilian team that became World Champions in 2014 and 2018.
18. Kimberly Hill
Kimberly Hill is a professional volleyball player who has played for the United States women’s national volleyball team since 2007. She has an impressive record, having won gold at the 2014 World Championship, the Rimini Volleyball Nations League, and the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Hill also won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Her experience and success make her an excellent role model for aspiring volleyball players.
19. Giba (Gilberto Godoy Fiho)
Giba is one of the best volleyball players in history. He led Brazil to a string of successes, and in 2006 he won the Brazilian Athlete of the Year Award. Giba retired from professional volleyball in 2014 at 37.
20. Steve Timmons
Steve Timmons is one of the most popular and best players in history. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has retired from professional volleyball, but he is still very famous among fans. His net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million.
21. Kim Yeon-Koung
Kim Yeon-Koung is a world-renowned volleyball player. She has played since 4th grade and achieved great success at the high school level. Yeon Koung was highly decorated as a professional club player in her first season. South Korean national team came in fourth place at the 2012 Summer Olympics, but Kim Yeon-Koung was awarded MVP and Best Scorer. Kim Yeon-Koung has given back to the sport by founding a youth sports academy and multiple charities to help young athletes succeed.
Some of Kim’s accomplishments include:
-She was the first Korean player to join the Italian professional volleyball league, playing for Volley Bergamo
-Won the “Most Valuable Player” and “Best Scorer” at the 2012 Olympic Games
-Named the “Best Server” and the “Best Receiver” at the 2014 FIVB World Championship
-Became the first Korean player to win the “Best Player” award in a major European volleyball league, winning it three times in a row while playing for Vakifbank Istanbul
-Holds the Korean professional league record for most points scored in a single match with 61 points.
Kim Yeon-Koung is one of the most famous volleyball players in the world and has achieved many accomplishments throughout her career. She inspires young athletes everywhere and continues to give back to the sport she loves.
22. Ivan Zaytsev
Ivan Zaytsev is one of the world’s most famous and successful volleyball players. He is known for his aggressive and stylish playing style, as well as his great personality. Ivan’s net worth of $4 million is a testament to his success as a professional athlete.
He has achieved numerous accolades and championships and is considered one of the best volleyball players in history; Zaytsev was born in Russia and began his professional career with Ural Great’s Italian team. He has also played for teams such as Perugia and Parma, and has won several championships with each squad.
Zaytsev is currently a member of the Russian national team and has helped lead them to success in recent years. He is an integral part of the team and is one of the most talented players on the roster. Zaytsev is a true superstar in the world of volleyball, and his greatness will continue for years.
23. Thaísa Menezes
Thaísa Menezes is one of the greatest Brazilian volleyball players of all time. She won back-to-back gold medals at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012 and is a four-time winner of the Best Spiker award. Thaísa is known for her powerful attacks and devastating spikes and is considered one of the best outside hitters in the world.
24. David Smith
David Smith is a member of the United States national team. He won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. He also won the 2018 World Championship and the 2015 World Cup, played for ZAKSA Kędzierzyn Koźle, and was a Champions League winner in 2021 and 2022. David Smith was born on April 4, 1985, in Santa Barbara, California. Smith is 6’7″ and plays as an outside hitter.
He is known for his powerful arm and jumps serve. Smith has played professionally in Italy, Russia, Poland, Turkey, and China. In 2019, he joined the U.S. national team coaching staff as an assistant coach. Smith is married to his wife, Kelly, and they have two children.
25. Maxim Mikhaylov
Maxim Mikhaylov is one of the best Russian volleyball players of all time. He has played for the Russian National team and won many awards, including being a two-time European Champion. In 2010, he joined Zenit Kazan and had since won numerous awards with them, including the Russian Championship six times and the CEV Champions League twice. A player that has spent most of his career in one club, Mikhaylov is a true Russian volleyball legend.
26. Facundo Conte
Facundo Conte is an Argentine professional volleyball player who plays for his national team and a Brazilian club, Sada Cruzeiro. The 31 years old, Argentine has been famous because of his excellent game and style.
He is considered one of the best Argentine volleyball players of the era. Facundo Conte’s net worth is $3 million. All this fortune he has made from his profession.
27. Dmitrij Muserskyi
Dmitrij Muserskyi is the tallest volleyball player in the world. His height is a significant advantage on the court. He’s considered one of the world’s best players and plays for a Japanese club.
28. Saeid Marouf
Saeid Marouf is a world-renowned professional volleyball player. He has won many awards, including MVP and Best Setter at the 2013 Asian Championship. Marouf is currently playing professional volleyball in China, where he continues to dominate the sport. Marouf’s success serves as an inspiration to others who are looking to pursue their dreams and achieve success.
29. Wilfredo Leon
Wilfredo Leon is one of the best volleyball players in the world. He has helped clubs reach important championships and has played for the Cuban National team for five years. In 2019, he switched to Polish nationality and debuted for the Polish National Team. He has many teams and individual awards, making him one of the most successful players in the world.
30. Lorenzo Bernardi
Lorenzo Bernardi is widely regarded as one of the best all-around volleyball players. He is a joint winner of FIVB’s Player of the Century award and is known for being a multi-talented hitter and an outstanding passer.
Bernardi has won double European & World Champion, Olympic silver medalist, and five times winner of the FIVB World League. His club career took him to Italy, Brazil, Greece, Russia, and Germany teams.
31. Earvin N’Gapeth
Earvin N’Gapeth is one of the world’s most well-known and talented volleyball players. He has a fantastic ability to overpower opponents with his play, and he is known for his distinctive style and for changing his hair color often. N’Gapeth is an exciting player who always brings his A-game to the court.
32. Logan Tom
Logan Tom is one of the world’s most well-known and accomplished volleyball players. She has an impressive Olympic record, having won the “Best Scorer” title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Additionally, she has been awarded many accolades, including “Most Valuable Player” and “Best Server.” What’s more, Logan Tom is very philanthropic, pledging to donate a part of her income to charity. Consequently, she is an excellent role model for aspiring volleyball players everywhere.
33. Paula Weishoff
Paula Weishoff is a former professional American volleyball player. She won two Olympic medals, one in 1992 and another in 1996. She also represented the U.S. National Women’s Team in the Olympics on three occasions. In 1992, she was named ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the Olympic Games. Additionally, she has been inducted into the U.S. Volleyball Hall of Fame.
34. Flo Hyman
Flo Hyman was one of the most famous volleyball players of all time. Standing at 6’7″, she towered over her opponents and was one of the tallest players in her academic career. Her specialty was the “Flying Clutchman” – a brief, hard-impacting spike that often-won matches for her team. Unfortunately, she died from Marfan syndrome during a game in 1986, but her legacy continues as one of the greatest volleyball players of all time.
35. Magaly Carvajal
Magaly Carvajal is a tall, intimidating middle blocker who led Cuba to secure gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic games. She is an Olympic and World champion and considered one of the most famous volleyball players of all time. Carvajal is known for her aggressiveness and powerful spikes, which helped her team to victory on many occasions. She is also a famous player off the court and has been featured in numerous magazines and television shows. Carvajal retired from volleyball in 2000 but remains active in the sport through coaching and commentary.
36. Hugo Conte
Hugo Conte is a three-time Olympian who has popularized volleyball in Argentina. He is known for his athleticism and solid defensive skills. His son, Facundo, also represents Argentina in volleyball. As a family, they are an inspiration to many aspiring athletes.
Hugo Conte’s dedication to the sport and his love for volleyball is evident in everything he does. He is a role model to many young athletes and is proof that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
37. Vladimir Grbić
Vladimir Grbić was born in Serbia in 1972. He started playing volleyball at a young age and soon became one of the most talented players. He won an Olympic bronze medal in 1996 and a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic games.
He was a key figure on the Serbian national team that won an Olympic gold medal. Grbić retired from the sport in 2009.
FAQs
Who Is Known As The Greatest Player Of Volleyball?
Jimmy George (March 8, 1955 – November 30, 1987) was among the greatest volleyball players in history and represented the Indian national team. He was the first Indian volleyball player to become a professional and played club volleyball in Italy.
Who Would You Choose As The Most Famous Volleyball Players?
The most renowned volleyball players are picked based on the number of medals or money won. For her legendary status as a player and coach, Gabrielle Reece is included, as well as Lang Ping for her outstanding accomplishments in both roles.
Who Is The Most Famous Volleyball Player Girl?
The world’s best player in the women’s category is Kim Yeon Koung. In 2021, Kim Yeon Koung became the first woman to hold the number one annual ranking.
During this year, Kim announced her retirement from the national team, having played for South Korea since 2005.
