Best Woman Athlete by Birth State

California: Billie Jean King

King won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, including six at Wimbledon, and 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles. She is most remembered for her 1973 thrashing of Bobby Riggs in the ''Battle of the Sexes,'' staged at the Astrodome. Founder of the Women's Sports Foundation, King has continued to be a tireless advocate for women's sports. As a tribute to her contributions, the national tennis center in Queens, N.Y., bears her name.

Worthy of consideration: Michelle Akers, Shirley Babashoff, Ila Borders, Maureen Connolly, Janet Evans, Peggy Fleming, Marjorie Gestring. Florence Griffith-Joyner, Flo Hyman , Lisa Leslie, Nancy Lopez, Wendy Macpherson, Alice Marble, Pat McCormick, Ann Meyers, Cheryl Miller, Helen Wills Moody Roark, Dara Torres, Ann Trason, Donna de Varona, Venus Williams, Mickey Wright and Trischa Zorn.