Atkinson Named ACC Rookie Of The Year
March 13, 2003 | Women's Basketball
March 13, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina freshman La'Tangela Atkinson has been named the 2003 Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Rookie of the Year following a season in which she led the team in rebounding and earned ACC All-Freshman honors. Playing in all 32 games and starting 19, Atkinson has averaged 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds for the No. 11 Tar Heels, 27-5 heading into the NCAA Tournament.
"We've seen a little bit of what she can do this season, and she's just going to get better as she gets more experience and gets stronger," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "She's a great kid. I'm just happy to see her have such a good first year, and I expect more success to follow."
Atkinson, a 6-1 guard/forward from Bishopville, S.C., was voted Preseason Rookie of the Year at the league's media day in October. She went on to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors six times and was the was the leading vote-getter on the ACC All-Freshman team, announced on March 4. She also earned honorable mention All-ACC honors, falling one vote short of the third team.
At last weekend's ACC Tournament, she averaged 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds and earned a spot on the All-ACC Tournament second team. In Carolina's semifinals win over Virginia, she led the way in points (18) and rebounds (12) for her eighth double-double of the season.
Atkinson ranks second in the ACC in rebounding, is tied for third in double-doubles and ranks ninth in field goal percentage (.471). Among the league's freshmen, she ranks first in rebounding, second in scoring, steals and field goal percentage, and third in assists.
Before arriving at UNC, she earned All-America honors at Lee Central High School, where she led her team to a pair of state championships.
Atkinson is the fifth Tar Heel player to earn ACC Rookie of the Year honors, following Dawn Royster (1984), Charlotte Smith (1992), Chanel Wright (1996) and Nikki Teasley (1998).
ACC Rookie of the Year voting
Ballots cast by 50 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association
La'Tangela Atkinson, North Carolina ... 30
Cotelia Bond-Young, Wake Forest..........9
Lindsey Harding, Duke....................6
Chrissy Fisher, Maryland.................2
Amanda White, Clemson....................2
Mistie Bass, Duke........................1