Ariel Atkins

Player Information

Ariel Atkins (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In addition to her playing career, she served as a player development coach at the University of Michigan during the 2023–2024 off-season. 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 5 selections to the WNBA All-Defensive Team.
Full Name :
Ariel Atkins
Birthdate :
30 July 1996
Birthplace :
Dallas, Texas, USA
Gender :
Female
Height (cm) :
178
Weight (kg) :
76
Nationality :
United States
Education :
Duncanville (High School), Texas (College)
Career Started :
2018
Notable Achievements :
WNBA champion (2019), 2× WNBA All-Star (2021, 2022), WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022), 4× WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), WNBA All-Rookie Team (2018), 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2017, 2018), 2× Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018), Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2015), Morgan Wootten Player of the Year (2014), McDonald's All-American (2014), FIBA Europe SuperCup Women champion (2024), Turkish Presidential Cup champion (2024)
Current Team :
Chicago Sky
Previous Teams :
InvestInTheWest ENEA Gorzów (From 2018, To 2019), Perth Lynx (From 2019, To 2020), Elazığ İl Özel İdarespor (From 2020, To 2020), BC Prometey (From 2021, To 2022), Fenerbahçe (From 2024, To 2025), Rose BC (From 2025, To 2025), Washington Mystics (From 2018, To 2025)
Drafted :
2018
Drafted by :
Washington Mystics
Active Status :
From - 2018, To - Present

Biography

Ariel Atkins is a professional WNBA player known for her impressive career with the Washington Mystics, where she has played since 2018. A strong contributor, she has earned two All-Star selections and has been named to the All-Defensive Team multiple times. Atkins stands out as a notable scorer and playmaker, ranking high in franchise history for key statistics. Her path began at the University of Texas, setting the stage for a remarkable basketball legacy that continues to evolve. More insights await about her inspiring achievements.

Early Life

Ariel Atkins developed a passion for basketball at a young age, which guided her through different stages of her life. During her childhood, she honed her skills and love for the game, ultimately leading her to compete at a high level in high school.

She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she played for the Longhorns from 2014 to 2018. Throughout her college career, she became a standout player, achieving notable milestones such as scoring 1,497 points, earning a spot as a two-time all-conference top team selection, and helping the Longhorns reach the Elite Eight in 2016, along with three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

In addition to her collegiate success, Ariel has been a member of USA Basketball since 2014, where she earned three gold medals, including one at the 2020 Olympics.

Family Life

Ariel Atkins values her close-knit family, who have been instrumental in her basketball experience.

She has often credited her family’s steadfast support, particularly from her parents, as a key factor in her success both in college and professionally.

Although specific names of her family members are not widely mentioned, she emphasizes the importance of their encouragement throughout her career.

Ariel frequently shares moments with her family on social media, highlighting their strong bond and the essential role they play in her life as a WNBA player.

Career

Ariel Atkins has made a notable impact in the WNBA, playing her entire career with the Washington Mystics since being drafted seventh in 2018.

She has distinguished herself as a two-time All-Star and has been named to the All-Defensive Team for each of her initial five seasons, achieving a historic milestone.

Over her career, Atkins has averaged 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, highlighting her versatility on both ends of the court.

Remarkably, she ranks highest in franchise history for three-pointers made, second in steals, and third in total points scored.

In the 2024 season, she led her team in scoring with an impressive average of 14.9 points per game and set a personal best with 36 points in a single game, further cementing her status as a key player for the Mystics.

Net Worth

As of 2023, Ariel Atkins’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, with a specific figure of approximately $3 million.

Her income is considerably enhanced by her WNBA salary, particularly following her recent contract extension with the Washington Mystics. Throughout her career, Atkins has drawn notable salaries from her top performances, including $200,000 for the 2021 season, $180,000 in 2022, and $220,000 for 2023.

Furthermore, her international play has contributed to her earnings, along with her marketability as a two-time All-Star and her involvement in coaching and player development roles.