IT COULD BE HER GOLDEN MOMENT : EX-USC STAR CAN FORESEE PERFECT ENDING.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

No longer does Lisa Leslie seethe at the idea of being tabbed a basketball player.

Despite growing to 6-foot-5 before leaving high school, Leslie had a hard time swallowing the idea that she was meant to play basketball.

The U.S. Olympian didn't take up the sport until age 12, when her cousin encouraged her to shoot around at a local gym. Slowly, she began mastering the fundamentals, and a year later she received her first college recruiting letter.

Which brought on a dilemma.

``I would get my hair done then go out and mess it up playing basketball,'' Leslie said. ``My mother asked me what I wanted to do, `Play basketball or dress up and look pretty?' ''

We know her decision.

By the time Leslie arrived at Morningside High School in Inglewood in 1986, college scouts and recruiters were penciling her into their starting lineups for four years later. She dominated the high school game, actually scoring 101 points - four short of Cheryl Miller's California state record - during a game as a senior.

After gaining a spot on the U.S. national junior team and winning two state championships at Morningside, Leslie attended USC, where she was a three-time All-American.

She fell short of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team as the youngest participant in the trials, one of her few disappointments. But she was determined to end her career in style.

Leslie has reached the point where she's growing out of the basketball-player mentality. She spent a season of professional ball in Italy in 1994, and last spring made the cut of the 1996 Olympic team, which has convinced her this may be the best it can get.

``This is the greatest team I've ever been on,'' Leslie said. ``At USC, I always said, `If this player was a little better,' or `If she worked harder,' we'd go all the way. Here, every player is great and everybody works hard.''

After the Olympics, Leslie plans to spend a year in modeling - she just signed a contract with Wilhemine, a popular New York agency - and then play in the Women's Professional Basketball Association.

``I'm kind of getting tired of basketball and want to do other things,'' Leslie said. ``Modeling should be fun and I'm only five units short of my communications degree at USC.''

The only unfinished business is an Olympic gold medal, which she and her teammates are favored to win. However, there's another thrill that would cap off an incredible career. Leslie casually dunks the ball in practice but has never in a game.

She would like to get a pass from best friend Dawn Staley, charge the basket and complete the first slam in Olympic history.

The name Lisa Leslie has been associated with several records and firsts.

``It's something I want to do,'' Leslie said. ``It would be great. I'm not sure how long I'll be a full-time basketball player and it would be a great inspiration to young girls. That's something I never had.''

PROFILE Age: 24

Position: Forward

Hometown: Inglewood

Fast fact: Played in Italy during 1994-95 for Sicilgesso, averaging 22.6 ppg and 11.7 rpg

when to Watch Pool play: July 21 vs. Cuba, July 23 vs. Ukraine, July 25 vs. Zaire, July 27 vs. Australia, July 29 vs. South Korea

Quarterfinals: July 31

Semifinals: Aug. 2 noon

Place and medal games: Aug. 3, 7 a.m.

BASKETBALL The Soviet Union won the first two gold medals ever awarded in women's basketball, in 1976 and 1980. Although the Soviets saw a good measure of success after that - the team boycotted in '84, won the bronze in '88 and returned to the top with a surprise victory in '92 - its dominance was never regained.

In 1976 and '80, the Soviets relied on a giant force: 6-foot-10, 284-pound Uljana Semjonova of Riga. In 1976, she averaged 19.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, although she spent more than half the time on the bench. In 1980, she averaged 21.8 points and 12.5 rebounds and her team won its games by an average of 31 points.

CAPTION(S):

4 Photos, 3 Boxes

Photo: (1) Lisa Leslie, who failed to make theOlympic team in 1992, calls the '96 squad ``the greatest team I've ever been on.'' It is favored to win the gold.

Associated Press 

(2) Lisa Leslie

(3-4) THROUGH THE YEARS

1984: Legend begins as Leslie takes up basketball.

1989: Leads Morningside High to California Division I State Championship, makes USA National team.

1990: Wins another state championship and scores 101 points in regular-season game. Naismith High School Player of the Year.

1990: Signs with USC.

1991: Earns National Freshman of the Year honors for USC.

1994: Named National Player of the Year in senior season.

1995: Plays in Italy and is named to U.S. Olympic team.

Box: (1) PROFILE (see text)

(2) When to Watch (see text)

(3) BASKETBALL (see text)