Not bigger, taller, stronger, or faster than their competition, but they had “it”.
Something between the ears that differentiates them from other great athletes.
Hand/eye coordination, muscle memory, high basketball, baseball, football IQ, etc.
Who knows, but they have oodles of “it”!
I once saw a quote from Michael Jordan in SI when he was asked if he could have any four players from the NBA on his team, who would he want? He said that if he could have four Danny Ainges, they would never lose to anyone.