What should I have accomplished by 21?

See what remarkable builders and entrepreneurs achieved at age 21

Your Position

95th
percentile
Behind
Ahead

Notable Achievements at Age 21

Damian Lillard

Drafted 6th overall by Portland Trail Blazers

Selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

2012
100% confidence
Source
Alperen Sengun

Career-high 45 points & 16 rebounds vs Spurs

Scored a career-high 45 points (surpassing Mehmet Okur's 43) and 16 rebounds while also recording 5+ steals in the game.

2024
99% confidence
Source
Jon McCarthy

CFP National Championship — Undefeated national champion

Led Michigan to a 34–13 victory over Washington in the National Championship game (Jan 8, 2024), completing 10-of-18 for 140 yards; team finished 15–0.

2024
99% confidence
Source
Jon McCarthy

Finished Michigan career with historic 27–1 record as starter

Completed college career with a 27–1 record (.964) as a starting QB — highest winning percentage in NCAA FBS history for a starter (1978–present).

2024
99% confidence
Source
Jon McCarthy

Declared for 2024 NFL Draft

Announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2024 NFL Draft (declaration reported Jan 14, 2024).

2024
99% confidence
Source
Jon McCarthy

Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) — Offensive MVP

Completed 17-of-27 for 221 yards and 3 TDs in 27–20 OT win over Alabama at the Rose Bowl; named Offensive MVP of the game (Jan 1, 2024).

2024
99% confidence
Source
Shedeur Sanders

Colorado debut vs TCU — 510 yards

In his first game for Colorado he completed 38-of-47 for a school-record 510 passing yards and 4 TDs in a 45–42 upset of No. 17 TCU.

2023
99% confidence
Source
Anthony Edwards

Named to first NBA All-Star Game (reserve)

On February 10, 2023 Edwards was named an NBA All-Star for the first time (injury replacement reserve).

2023
99% confidence
Source
Baby Keem

Won Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance ('Family Ties')

'Family Ties' (with Kendrick Lamar) won Best Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (April 2022).

2022
99% confidence
Source
Justin Jefferson

Set Super Bowl-era rookie receiving yards record (season end)

Finished rookie season with 1,400 receiving yards, a Super Bowl-era rookie record at the time.

2021
99% confidence
Source
Justin Jefferson

First big breakout — 175 yards vs. Tennessee (Week 3)

In his first start he had 7 receptions for 175 yards and his first NFL TD.

2020
99% confidence
Source
Jayson Tatum

Named NBA All-Star (1st selection)

Selected as an Eastern Conference reserve for his first NBA All-Star Game (2020).

2020
99% confidence
Source
Jake Paul

White-collar boxing debut vs Deji Olatunji (TKO)

Fought in amateur/white-collar boxing match at Manchester Arena; defeated Deji via 5th-round TKO (co-feature to Logan Paul vs KSI’s brother fight).

2018
99% confidence
Source
Jalen Brunson

Selected 33rd overall in 2018 NBA Draft (Dallas Mavericks)

Brunson was drafted in the second round with the 33rd overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks (June 21, 2018).

2018
99% confidence
Source
Jalen Brunson

Won second NCAA Championship (Villanova)

Brunson helped Villanova win the 2018 NCAA Championship; Villanova defeated Michigan 79–62 in the final.

2018
99% confidence
Source
Josh Allen

Selected 7th overall in 2018 NFL Draft by Buffalo Bills

Bills traded up from 12th to 7th overall with Tampa Bay to select Josh Allen in the first round.

2018
99% confidence
Source
Connor McDavid

Won second consecutive Art Ross Trophy; Ted Lindsay Award; NHL First All-Star Team

Finished 2017–18 with career highs (41 goals, 108 points) and captured his second straight Art Ross, his second Ted Lindsay, and another First All-Star Team selection.

2018
99% confidence
Source
Patrick Mahomes

Selected 10th overall in 2017 NFL Draft by Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs traded up with the Buffalo Bills to select Mahomes 10th overall (Chiefs gave up multiple picks including a 2018 first-rounder).

2017
99% confidence
Source
Jabari Parker

Second ACL tear — out for season

MRI revealed torn ACL in his left knee; ruled out for remainder of 2016–17 season (second tear in same knee).

2017
99% confidence
Source
Patrick Mahomes

Declared for 2017 NFL Draft (forgoing senior year)

Announced he would enter the NFL draft and leave Texas Tech after his junior season.

2017
99% confidence
Source

💡 What this means for you

At age 21, you're at a pivotal point where many successful entrepreneurs made their breakthrough. Whether you're building your first company or scaling an existing one, these examples show what's possible with focus and execution.

Share Your Results

🎯 Challenge a Friend

See how your friends and colleagues compare at their age. Share this tool to start a friendly competition!

20 notable achievements at this age

How Do You Stack Up?

Compare your achievements at age 21 with industry leaders and see where you stand.