Best athlete by state (current)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was the most dominant pass catcher in the NFC last season. Jones had a career year, nabbing 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns. With those numbers, he became a First-Team All-Pro and was selected to his third Pro Bowl. Jones, who turned 27 years old this winter, should be terrorizing opposing defensive backs for years to come.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky is currently Alaska’s best athlete. A strong two-way forward, Dubinsky has 129 career goals in the NHL.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler is currently one of the best all-around infielders in the majors. A four-time All-Star, Kinsler is currently hitting just under .300 on the year for the Tigers. He was born in Tucson, Ariz.

It’s a small travesty the Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has never played in an All-Star Game. One of the most competent floor generals in the NBA, Conley has averaged 15.3 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game for his career. Born in Fayetteville, Ark., he is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Perhaps the most explosive player the NBA has ever seen, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook plays basketball with a psychotic intensity. A triple-double machine, Westbrook is unstoppable in transition and has the ability to set up his teammates as well with pinpoint precision passing. He won his second straight All-Star Game MVP this year and nearly led his Thunder to a playoff series upset over the mighty Golden State Warriors.

The youngest slalom champion in Olympic alpine skiing history, Mikaela Shiffrin is just 21 years old. Born in Vail, Colo., Shiffrin also has two Wold Championship gold medals in the event, to go along with her Olympic gold from 2014.

There isn’t a goaltender in the NHL more athletic than Jonathan Quick. The Los Angeles Kings netminder has made it a habit of making a few jaw-dropping saves every game he plays in. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Quick was born in Milford, Conn.

Born in Wilmington, Del., Chicago Sky forward Elena Delle Donne is one of the best women’s basketball players on the planet. The 2015 WNBA MVP is a career 20.2 point per game scorer for the Sky and shoots an incredible 93.9 percent from the free thrown line.

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown appears intent on rewriting the NFL record books. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time First-Team All-Pro, Brown has led the NFL in receptions for two straight seasons and posted a career-high 1,834 receiving yards gained this past year. Brown appears destined to be inducted into NFL Hall of Fame when his career comes to an end.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is one of the best signal callers in the NFL. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Newton led Carolina to a 15-1 regular season in 2015, earning MVP honors, and even found the end zone 10 times as runner. Although Newton’s fairy-tale season came to an unfortunate end in the Panthers' loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, the man who popularized the “dab” should continue to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for years to come.

Although he only has one year of NFL experience under his belt, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks like he’s headed for stardom. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, Mariota had a successful rookie season in Tennessee and with a few more years of experience should become a top-tier NFL quarterback. Mariota was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Brock Osweiler will be out to prove to the world that he was much more than just a placeholder for Peyton Manning in Denver. Now with the Texans, Osweiler has been given control of Houston’s offense, and the former backup appears primed to establish himself as a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL once the 2016 seasons begins.

Although injuries hampered his play at times this past season, there is no doubt that Pelicans big man Anthony Davis is currently the best NBA player from the state of Illinois. A dominant force on both sides of the floor, “The Brow” averaged 24.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks this past year for New Orleans. The craziest part of it all is that Davis is just 23 years old!

Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward has developed into one of the most complete point-forwards in the NBA. Born in Indianapolis, most basketball fans remember Hayward as the Butler star who nearly hit a game-winning half-court shot in the 2010 National Championship Game against Duke. Since arriving in the NBA, however, Hayward has proved his worth, averaging 17.1 points and 4.1 assists per game for his career.

Although he is yet to hit his stride in Golden State, Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has shown plenty of flashes of the talent that made him the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. At just 24 years old, Barnes is still developing his game and should become a high-end two-way NBA player in the next few years. He was born in Ames, Iowa.

Although he missed the 2015 NFL season with a torn ACL, expect Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson to terrorize opposing defensive backs once again in 2016. Born in Manhattan, Kan., Nelson has become quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite target, and with good reason. A precise route runner with sure hands, Nelson also has the ability to burn defenders on the long ball any given play.

One of the most captivating passers in the NBA, point guard Rajon Rondo revitalized his career this past season with the Kings. Along with being the starting point guard on the Celtics' 2008 championship-winning team, Rondo was a four-time All-Star in Boston before a knee injury seemingly derailed his career. That being said, he looked like his old self again in Sacramento this past year, as he led the NBA in assists at 11.7 per game.

Capable of making a gravity-defying catch at any moment, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. needed just two seasons to established himself as one the NFL’s elite wideouts. Already a two-time Pro Bowl selection, Beckham is impossible to stop in one-on-one coverage and is as precise a route runner as you’ll ever see. In just 27 career NFL games, Beckham has 25 receiving touchdowns. OBJ was born in Baton Rouge, La.

24-year-old Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin emerged as a top-notch player along Pittsburgh’s blue line during the team’s Stanley Cup-winning run. Born in Biddeford, Maine, Dumoulin averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game for the Penguins in the playoffs and scored two key goals.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden is one of the best all-around defensive backs in the NFL. The two-time Pro Bowler was born in Fort Washington, Md., and while he missed most of 2015 due to injury, he was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2013. Haden has 16 career interceptions.

The No. 2 pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, Sabres forward Jack Eichel just had a fantastic rookie season in Buffalo. Eichel scored 24 goals and garnered 32 assists in 81 games as 19-year-old. Born in North Chelmsford, Mass., he should develop into one of hockey’s best all-around players in the next few years.

Whether you love him, hate him or couldn’t care less, the record speaks for itself. At 49-0, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is considered one the greatest ever to step into the squared circle. Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Mayweather Jr. is the biggest single draw in the sports world, and the “Pretty Boy” has always been able to back up his brash talk with exquisite performances in the ring.

Given his physical build, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien looks far more like an NFL linebacker than an NHL player. Still, he happens to be one of the best defensemen in hockey. Byfuglien has a monster slap shot, moves of the puck well and is one of the hardest hitters in the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup in 2010 as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Evident by the fact that he just signed a six-year contract extension in excess of $100 million, Eagles star Fletcher Cox is the best player on the defensive side of the ball in Philadelphia. The defensive lineman out of Mississippi State commands a double team on every snap but still finds a way to tackle runners behind the line of scrimmage and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Cox was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season.

Maya Moore is universally considered the best player in women’s basketball at the moment. With a résum´ that includes MVPs, All-Star Game appearances, Wooden Awards, college championships and First-Team All-American selections, she is one of the most decorated athletes in the world. Moore, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx, is averaging a WNBA-leading 23.9 points per game on the season.

Since 2012, defensive tackle Dwan Edwards has been a mainstay along the Carolina Panthers' defensive line. Edwards, who has also played for the Ravens and Bills, is your classic run-stopping lineman but has also shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback when needed. An 11-year NFL veteran, he was born in Columbus, Mont.

Although his career in Kansas City got off to a slow start, Royals star Alex Gordon has established himself as one of the best all-around outfielders in the majors. A three-time All-Star, Gordon is perhaps the best defensive outfielder in baseball and is also a capable hitter at the plate. The No. 2 pick in the 2005 MLB Draft, he was a major reason why the Royals won their first World Series title in 30 years last season.

Not only is Bryce Harper the best athlete at the moment from the state of Nevada, he’s also one of the two best athletes in all of Major League Baseball. The Washington Nationals outfielder is universally considered the best overall player in the National League, if not all of MLB, and he is still just 23 years old. The 2015 NL MVP, a spot in Cooperstown is already being saved for Harper.

Born Concord, N.H., defenseman Ben Lovejoy was a major reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins won their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history this past month. Capable of blocking shots, moving the puck and tying up sticks, Lovejoy had several key goals for the Penguins during their championship run.

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is universally considered the best player in the American League, if not all of baseball. The 24-year-old is a five-tool player, has already won an MVP and consistently has one of the highest WARs in baseball. Trout, who has a career OPS of .932, looks like a lock to inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame when he hangs up his cleats.

Born in Albuquerque, N.M., UFC fighter Holly Holm stunned the world when she defeated Ronda Rousey via KO at UFC 193. Despite the fact that Holm lost her next fight to Miesha Tate, “The Preacher's Daughter” is still considered one of the top female MMA fighters in the world and will forever be remembered as the woman who defeated the most dominant female mixed martial artist ever in Rousey.

The current UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon “Bones” Jones is already thought of as one of the greatest competitive mixed martial artists ever. Born in Rochester, N.Y., Jones has a career MMA record of 22-1 (with the one loss a disqualification) and is regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. A black belt in Gaidojutsu, Jones is scheduled to defend his light heavyweight championship at UFC 200 against Daniel Cormier.

Considered by many to be the best pure point guard in the NBA, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul has led the NBA in assists four times in his career and sits 11th all time on the career assists list at present. Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., he's been named to nine straight All-Star teams, won Rookie of the Year and led the NBA in steals for five straight seasons to begin his career. While playoff success has largely avoided Paul, he's a sure bet to make the Hall of Fame when his career is over.

Born in Grand Forks, N.D., Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott is one of just six NBA players ever to be born in the Roughrider State. The 11th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, McDermott also won the John R. Wooden Award for most outstanding player in college basketball as a member of the Creighton University Bluejays.

Has there been an athlete over the past 25 years who has had more pressure on him than LeBron James? A four-time NBA MVP, King James just led his Cleveland Cavaliers on an improbable championship run in which they came back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals against the seemingly unbeatable Golden State Warriors to claim Cleveland’s first major sports championship in 52 years. James was named Finals MVP, as he led all players in scoring, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. James, who was born in nearby Akron, Ohio, has not only cemented his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players ever, but also one of the best athletes this world has ever seen.

Originally from Oklahoma City, Blake Griffin is the NBA’s best player from the Sooner State. Along with being an awe-inspiring dunker, Griffin is also one of the NBA’s best players when healthy. The No. 1 overall pick the of the 2010 NBA Draft, the Clippers power forward has been an All-Star five of his six years as a pro.

Although he is labeled as one of the dirtiest players in the NFL, Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is also one of its best. A three-time First-Team All-Pro, Suh commands a double team on every play, and even then he still finds a way to get to the quarterback and clog up holes like no other DT in the NFL. Suh was born in Portland, Ore.

The 2015 NFL season saw Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald emerge as one of football’s premier defensive players. The 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Donald is impossible to block one-on-one and consistently finds himself in opposing teams' backfields, destroying running backs and quarterbacks. Donald, 25, was named to his first of what will be many First-Team All-Pro selections in 2015.

Not too many professional athletes have come from the state of Rhode Island, but there is one at the moment in catcher Chris Iannetta. After playing the first 10 seasons of his career with the Rockies and Angels, Iannetta is now in his first season with the Mariners.

The fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green could find himself in Canton one day. In five NFL seasons, Green has never had less than 1,000 yards receiving and is yet to miss a Pro Bowl. The star wideout was born in Summerville, S.C.

Regardless of your feelings about professional wrestling, it is impossible to question the résumé of WWE superstar and UFC competitor Brock Lesnar. The 2000 NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion, Lesnar has carved out enormously successful careers in both professional wrestling and the UFC. A blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu, Lesnar is set to make his return to the octagon at UFC 200 against Mark Hunt. Lesnar was born in Webster, S.D.

Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is looking more and more like a superstar every day. The 23-year-old is a five-tool player and already has a WAR of 3.1 this season. Expect Betts to make his first of what will be many All-Star teams this year.

When his career is over, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw may go down as the greatest left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Kershaw has been baseball’s most dominant pitcher the last five years, racking up five All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards and an MVP. With a nearly unhittable curveball, and impeccable location, Kershaw should continue to confound opposing batters for years to come.

Born in Salt Lake City, Sarah Hendrickson is one of the best female skiers in the world. The 21-year-old Hendrickson won gold at the World Ski Championships in 2013 and looks primed to win a few medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Born in Bennington, Vt., Andrew Newell has been an elite cross-country skier since he began his career in 2001. Newell has competed in two different Winter Olympics and also works with a number of environmental charities.

Since entering the league in 2010, no safety has been more intimidating than Kam Chancellor. The Seattle star has made four Pro Bowls in five seasons in the NFL and been named Second-Team All-Pro twice. Chancellor was born in Norfolk, Va.

Ever since he entered the majors in 2006, Jon Lester has been one of most consistent left-handed starters around. The Cubs southpaw has garnered 136 wins with a 3.48 ERA for his career and will be counted on in Chicago to come up big when the postseason rolls around. Lester was born in Tacoma, Wash.

Born in Huntington, W.V., Bucks shooting guard O.J. Mayo hasn’t developed into the star many scouts thought he would become but is still a quality NBA player. The third overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft out of USC by the Grizzlies, Mayo has averaged 13.8 points per game for his career.

Is it too early to deem J.J. Watt the best ever NFL player born in Wisconsin? Nah. Watt is well on his becoming one of the greatest football players ever. The 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, he has already won three Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Texans and is still in the prime of his career at 27.

Born in Casper, Wy., guard Zane Beadles is currently the best player in the NFL from the Cowboy State. A Pr -Bowl selection in 2012 with the Broncos, Beadles signed with the 49ers this past offseason after playing two seasons with Jaguars.

Although it’s looking more and more likely he’ll return to Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant’s impending free agency will the talk of the summer. And with good reason. Durant, the 2014 NBA MVP, is one of the best scorers in the NBA and a seven-time All-Star. KD looks like a lock to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame when his career is all said and done.