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2018 WNBA Rookie Report: Ariel Atkins

By Ben Dull

DES MOINES, IA - MAY 6: Ariel Atkins #7 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx during a pre-season game on May 6, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jason Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA - MAY 6: Ariel Atkins #7 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx during a pre-season game on May 6, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jason Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Welcome to the 2018 Rookie Report. This initial set of posts will give a brief outlook on members of the 2018 WNBA draft class.

We will discuss the answers these players provide to their new teams along with questions that will need to be answered for them to maximize their potential as a player. We’ll close with thoughts on what will need to happen for each player to get some playing time and offer thoughts on what you should be looking forward right away as you tune in on League Pass. (Advanced stats obtained via HerHoopStats. Read their glossary here.)

Ariel Atkins

Round 1, Pick 7 – Washington Mystics

Age: 21 – Height: 5’11 – Position: Guard/Wing

2017-18 stats at Texas:

The Mystics will need strong two-way play from more of their perimeter players in support of Elena Delle Donne to advance beyond the semifinals in 2018.

Answers she provides

  • Energetic and active defender with solid physical tools
  • Capable three-point shooter

Questions looking forward

  • Defending one-through-three for a team in win now mode
  • Attacking closeouts off the catch
  • Finding the next play when driving lanes dry up

Path to playing time

Washington won’t have starting guard Tayler Hill (ACL) back until later in the summer. The team may experiment with different starting groups in the meantime. Still, minutes will not be easy to come by behind Kristi Toliver, Monique Currie, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Natasha Cloud.

One thing to watch right now

How ready is she to make an impact in a true 3-and-D mold? Delle Donne, Toliver and Currie are capable of shouldering the load to create for the group offensively. The bigger needs for one of last year’s semi-finalists may be surprisingly simple on surface: hit your open shots and stay solid defensively in the limited available minutes.

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