Ariel’s mother, LaShonda, worked as a hairstylist but coached her daughter whenever she could.
Highlights
- Ariel Atkins’ parents, LaShonda and Byron, recognized her potential in basketball from a young age and provided unwavering support throughout her journey.
- Atkins has had a remarkable career, including being a two-time All-Star, a WNBA champion, and an Olympic gold medalist. She was recently traded to the Chicago Sky from the Washington Mystics.
- Known for her defensive skills, Atkins is the first player in WNBA history to be named to an All-Defensive team in each of her first five seasons.
Ariel Atkins, born on July 30, 1996, in Dallas, Texas, is a professional basketball player recently acquired by the Chicago Sky from the Washington Mystics.
This trade has brought her into the spotlight, highlighting her impressive career and the familial support that has been pivotal to her success.
Welcome to Skytown, Ariel!
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) February 24, 2025
📝https://t.co/2MEiawSkV4 pic.twitter.com/pImw8ywwXE
Atkins is the daughter of Byron and LaShonda Atkins.
She has an older sister, Jessica, and a younger brother, Byron Jr.
Her mother, LaShonda, is a hairstylist, while her father, Byron, owns a chicken and fish restaurant that served as a popular gathering spot for Ariel and her teammates in her youth.
This environment fostered a sense of community and support throughout her formative years.
Ariel Atkins Showed Great Basketball Promise From A Young Age
From a young age, Atkins exhibited a natural aptitude for basketball.
Her parents recognized her potential and supported her as she pursued the sport.
Without a steady coach growing up, Ariel’s mother, LaShonda, guided her basketball journey whenever she could.
In a light-hearted self-appreciation Instagram post, Ariel wrote,
S/o to Byron and Lashonda Atkins. They went crazy with these genes. Am I right ?
Instagram
Additionally, in a Father’s Day post from 2020, Ariel wrote about her father,
Quick story: one day I was playing pretty bad, have no idea why but I remember turning the ball over and all I hear is someone yell from the crowd “12 needs a sub.” I knew it was my dad and it made me laugh and loosen up bc who does that.
Instagram
Atkins attended Duncanville High School in Texas, where she developed her basketball skills and emerged as a standout player.
Her performance earned her a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin.
During her collegiate career, she was a two-time All-Conference first-team selection and played a crucial role in leading the Longhorns to the 2016 Elite Eight and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.
She concluded her tenure at Texas ranked 20th on the all-time scoring list with 1,497 points.
Brooke McCarty and Ariel Atkins notch their 100th win during their time at Texas as the Longhorns beat Kansas State 76-54. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/DoylGE6dEc
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) February 11, 2018
Atkins Has Had An Illustrious Career In The WNBA
In 2018, Atkins was selected 7th overall by the Washington Mystics in the WNBA Draft.
She made an immediate impact, contributing to the team’s championship victory in 2019.
Known for her defensive prowess, she became the first player in WNBA history to be named to an All-Defensive team in each of her first five seasons.
Ariel Atkins tonight 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) August 21, 2024
• 25 points
• 5 3PM
pic.twitter.com/zQRJe5BrhJ
Her accolades also include two All-Star selections and an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
The recent trade to the Chicago Sky marks a new chapter in Atkins’ career, bringing her talents to a team eager to integrate her skills and experience.
Additional Information
- Ariel Atkins has played for several international teams during the WNBA off-season, including Fenerbahçe in Turkey, where she won the Turkish Presidential Cup and the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women in 2024.
- In addition to her playing career, Atkins served as a player development coach at the University of Michigan during the 2023–2024 off-season.
- Atkins holds several records with the Washington Mystics, including the most three-pointers made (397) and the second-most steals (313) in the team’s history.
