WNBA Future Watch: Ariel Atkins Basketball Cards, Washington Mystics – Ariel Atkins was drafted by the Washington Mystics with the seventh pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Atkins is a shooting guard with intelligence to match her athleticism. Growing up in Duncanville, TX, she led her high school team to a combined record of 148-10. That included a 105-game winning streak. She had many accolades coming her way.
Her team won two state championships. She was the 2014 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year and earned consensus All-American honors from Parade Magazine, MaxPreps.com, McDonald’s, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and USA TODAY. That led to Atkins being deemed the top guard in her recruiting class by ESPN. Opportunity awaited at Texas, where Atkins was the top Longhorn scorer in Big 12 games as a freshman. She also led in FT%. As a sophomore, Atkins led Texas to its first Elite Eight since 2003. She truly blossomed as a two-way player in her junior season, leading the Big 12 in SPG. And as a senior, Atkins was the only Big 12 player in the top 20 in eight categories: PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, FG%, 3%, FT% and assist-to-turnover ratio.
Her well-balanced production led to Atkins landing with Washington. She debuted as a member of the All-Rookie Team and All-Defensive Second Team. In Year Two, Atkins made it back to the winner’s circle as a WNBA Champion. She added All-Star honors in 2021 and 2022. The latter season was arguably her best as a pro, with 14.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, .845 FT% and .365 3%. Atkins has a smooth all-around game greatly augmented by her brainpower, leading to tremendous success at every level she’s played. Atkins is well on her way to becoming one of the top WNBA stars of this decade.
WNBA Future Watch: Ariel Atkins – Stats
Statistical image generated from Sports Reference 05/21/23.
WNBA Future Watch: Ariel Atkins Basketball Cards, Washington Mystics – More Resources
WNBA Future Watch: Ariel Atkins Basketball Cards, Washington Mystics – Image Gallery
- Soccer Future Watch: Sadio Mané Soccer Cards, Al Nassr - April 24, 2024
- NBA Future Watch: Andre Jackson Jr. Basketball Cards, Milwaukee Bucks - April 22, 2024
- Racing Future Watch: Zane Smith Racing Cards, NASCAR - April 20, 2024