Lynx sign USA import Ariel Atkins

May 3, 2019 | Perth Lynx news

The Perth Lynx have signed elite American guard, Ariel Atkins for the 2019/20 WNBL season to fill one of two import spots.

Atkins is fresh off her first WNBA season where she started 24 of 29 regular season games for the Washington Mystics, and was named in the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team.

The 5’11” left-hander averaged 11.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 43.2 percent over the regular season.

Her season-high on August 12 led the Mystics to victory over the Dallas Wings where she accumulated 26 points, five rebounds, and stayed perfect from behind the three point line from five attempts.

Atkins took her game to another level in the playoffs where she averaged 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 48 percent shooting.

The Mystics reached the WNBA finals after finishing third on the ladder, but fell short in three games against the Seattle Storm.

Atkins was picked seventh overall in the WNBA draft, and set a record in the finals as the highest scoring rookie ever in a Game 1 with 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting.

Highlights of Atkins from Game 5 of the series that sent the Mystics to their first ever WNBA Finals can be found below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOkrCQ92euw