Ariel Atkins

Ariel Atkins (born July 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball. 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. She is the first, and as of 2025, the only player to do so in her first five years in the league.

Professional career WNBA

Washington Mystics (2018–2024) At the 2018 WNBA draft, Atkins was drafted by the Washington Mystics in the first round, as the seventh overall pick. 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. Later in September 2018, Atkins was also named to the All-Rookie Team.

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

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

Chicago Sky (2025) On February 23, 2025, Atkins was traded to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the 2025 third overall pick, the 2027 second-round pick, and the rights to swap 2027 first-round picks.

Los Angeles Sparks (2026–present) On April 12, 2026, Atkins was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Rickea Jackson.

International 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.

Unrivaled On February 21, 2025, Unrivaled signed Atkins to a relief player contract.

Athletes Unlimited In September 2025, Atkins joined Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball for its fifth season in Nashville, adding to her professional résumé alongside her WNBA and international career.

National team career 2020 Olympics In late March 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government postponed the 2020 Summer Olympics until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 21, 2021, Atkins was named to the 12-player roster for Team USA for the 2020 summer Olympics. She and Team USA went on to win the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Japan 90–75 in the final.

Career statistics

†Denotes season(s) in which Atkins won a WNBA championship WNBA Regular season Stats current through end of 2025 regular season

Playoffs

College

Off the court Philanthropy In February 2024, Atkins joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor, "aimed at keeping girls in sport and developing diverse leaders on the court and beyond the game."