The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have now won 17 gold medals in the 20 tournaments they have participated in during the past 88 years, while the women have won 10 gold medals in the 12 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 48 years. While we have to wait 4 years until the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel will fill the void by interviewing as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible. We continue our coverage by chatting with Ariel Atkins about being a great defender and winning a gold medal.
In 2014 you were named national high school POY and a McDonald’s All-American: could you tell at the time that your fellow nominee A’ja Wilson was going to become a superstar? We obviously got glimpses of it. I never faced her during AAU/high school, but we did some national team stuff together and she was a focal point of the team. I always knew that she was good.
What made you choose Texas for college? I felt that it had everything I needed both athletically/academically and it was not too far from home.
In the 2015 NCAA tourney you made the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual-champion UConn, and in the 2016 NCAA tourney you made the Elite 8 before losing to eventual-champion UConn: what was it like to keep running into Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma in March? 2016 was very tough.
In the spring of 2018 you were drafted 7th overall by Washington: did you see that as a validation of your college career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the WNBA, or other? It was a lifelong dream and something that I always wanted to do. I was not sure if it would come true during my freshman year, but it was a full-circle moment for me to be drafted 7th since I wear #7.
In the 2018 playoffs you made it all the way to the Finals before getting swept by Seattle: were you sick of Breanna Stewart ruining your postseason every single year? I do not think she has ruined my postseason EVERY year!
In the decisive Game 5 of the 2019 WNBA Finals you scored 6 PTS in a win over Connecticut: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was pure excitement in the locker room. After getting swept the previous year we knew that we were coming back the following year locked in and would get it done. It was magical!
In 2021 you played for Team USA at the Olympics: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot. I have given a lot to USA Basketball, and it is always an honor for them to call you up. It was great to pursue that dream and win a gold medal.
You are the 1st player in WNBA history to be named All-Defensive team in each of your 1st 5 seasons: what is the key to being a great defender? Anticipation. I am not the biggest/fastest player, but I have good eyes and am pesky so I can use my height/quickness to my advantage.
Your career 84.5 FT% is top-40 all-time: what is the secret to making FTs? Funny enough, I have used the same routine since I was 16 years old. It is about focus and quieting things in your mind and focusing on what is in front of you.
You spent last year as the assistant coach for player development of Michigan women’s basketball: how did you like the gig, and what do you want to do after you retire as a player? I enjoyed it and have thought about coaching in the future but there are a few different avenues I am looking into as well. The kids and staff in Ann Arbor were amazing: they took me in and were very receptive/helpful to me.