Ariel Atkins (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In addition to her playing career, she serves as a player development coach at the University of Michigan.^[1]during the off-season.

Quick Facts No. 7 – Washington Mystics, Position ...

Ariel Atkins

Atkins with the Washington Mystics in 2023
No. 7 – Washington Mystics
Position	Shooting guard
League	WNBA
Personal information
Born	(1996-07-30) July 30, 1996 (age 27) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Listed height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Listed weight	167 lb (76 kg)
Career information
High school	Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)
College	Texas (2014–2018)
WNBA draft	2018: 1st round, 7th overall pick
Selected by the Washington Mystics
Playing career	2018–present
Coaching career	2023–present
Career history
As player:
2018–present	Washington Mystics
2018–2019	InvestInTheWest ENEA Gorzów
2019–2020	Perth Lynx
2020	Elazığ İl Özel İdarespor
As coach:
2023–present	Michigan
Career highlights and awards
WNBA champion (2019) 2× WNBA All-Star (2021, 2022) WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022) 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018–2021) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2018) 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2017, 2018) Second-team All-Big 12 (2016) 2× Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018) Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2015) McDonald's All-American (2014)
Medals Women's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games 2020 Tokyo Team World Cup 2022 Australia

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Drafted 7th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2018 WNBA draft, Atkins quickly established herself as a key player. She helped lead the Mystics to the WNBA Finals in her debut season and was a pivotal figure in their 2019 WNBA Championship victory. Atkins' defensive prowess earned her 4 selections to the WNBA All-Defensive Team so far in her career.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Atkins attended Duncanville in Duncanville, Texas. She played college basketball at the University of Texas, where she was recognized for her athletic performance.

At the 2018 WNBA draft, Atkins was drafted by the Washington Mystics in the first round, as the seventh overall pick.^[2] Atkins would join a Mystics line-up alongside players such as Elena Delle Donne, Kristi Toliver & Natasha Cloud. In August 2018, Atkins was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in her debut season.^[3] Later in September 2018, Atkins was also named to the All-Rookie Team.^[4]

On October 10, 2019, Atkins and the Mystics took home their first WNBA Championship after defeating the Connecticut Sun, 3–2.^[5] In September 2020, Atkins was named to the All-Defensive Second Team for the third time in her three career seasons.^[6]

In August 2023, Atkins signed a multi-year extension to stay in Washington with the Mystics.^[7]

Atkins has also played internationally. She spent the 2018–19 season with InvestInTheWest ENEA Gorzów Wielkopolski in Poland and played for the Perth Lynx in Australia during the 2019–20 off-season.