A multi-millionaire by age 16 with a Nike endorsement contract, an appearance on the David Letterman Show, the up-and-coming name in the sport ...

Sounds a lot like Michelle Wie, doesn't it?

But we're also talking soccer's Freddy Adu here.

The parallels between the two 16-year-old phenoms, born four months apart, are remarkably striking, as was underlined when both were the marquee names playing in pro events on O'ahu the same February weekend this year.

Which is why, when you look at the recent turbulence each experienced little more than a week apart this month, it was interesting to note their differing levels of maturity in handling it.

Wie dealt with it with a responsibility beyond her years, and Adu more in keeping with what you might expect from, well, a 16-year-old in the spotlight. Or, a number of pro athletes of various ages.

Both careers have been cast in huge international spotlights from the time they hit their teens, their every utterance and movement monitored. And both have had benefit of advisors and intensive public relations schooling.

Yet, Adu's disappointment over playing time with D.C. United of Major League Soccer and fears it would sink his chances of making the U.S. World Cup team prompted him to lash out at his coach, Peter Nowak, and suggest he might leave his handpicked team next year. "I got player of the week that week and the next week I'm sitting on the bench," Adu said. "And, I'm just like, 'What's going on here?' "

Then, he added, "I'm just looking into things right now, so we'll see what happens at the end of the season and we'll see where my family and myself are headed."

Not for the first time was Adu, who boldly had told the MLS which team he wanted to play for before the draft, upset with playing time. But this time it earned Adu a one-game suspension and prompted a renewed round of questions about the wisdom of 16-year-olds, who receive piles of money on potential, playing professional sports.

Then, there was Wie's did-she or didn't-she make the proper drop incident at the Samsung World Championship with a writer lurking over her shoulder.

Between it being an embarrassing situation in her pro debut and being called out well after the fact from the gallery, the elements were there for a real tantrum. Instead, Wie expressed disappointment but steadfastly took responsibility. And, while Wie could have laid off some blame on her caddy or pointed an accusatory finger at the writer, she did neither.

Obviously she has been well coached, but, to anybody who has seen the spontaneity and style with which she works a press room, Wie was also largely genuine and her response refreshing.

And, that counts not only in soccer and golf but life.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.