The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Atkins named McDonald’s All American Player of the Year
03.25.2014 | Women's Basketball
Women’s Basketball signee Ariel Atkins honored for outstanding achievements on court, in community.
Full McDonald's All American Release (PDF)
RELATED: Atkins and McCarty selected to play in McDonald's All American Game - Jan. 29, 2014
OAK BROOK, Ill. – The McDonald's All American Games and Morgan Wootten, Hall of Fame coach and Selection Committee Chair, announced Ariel Atkins as winner of the 2014 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today during a press event in Chicago, Ill. for her accomplishments on and off the court.
Atkins is a six-foot standout from Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. She is the third player from the state of Texas to earn the award – the most since the female award's inception in 2002. Atkins is the 13th annual female winner, joining Taya Reimer (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012), Elena Delle Donne (2008), Maya Moore (2007), Tina Charles (2006), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003), among others. Atkins takes home the honor over finalists: Kelsey Mitchell (Cincinnati, Ohio), Shakayla Thomas (Sylacauga, Ala.), Brianna Turner (Pearland, Texas), Jatarie White (Charlotte, N.C.), and A'Ja Wilson (Hopkins, S.C.).
The Morgan Wootten Award is given annually to the best male and female McDonald's All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and the community. McDonald's established the award in Wootten's honor to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and coach. The official award presentation will take place at the McDonald's All American Games awards banquet on April 1 in Chicago, Ill.
Atkins is one of the top-rated players in the 2014 class. During her career she led her team to two Texas state championships and a 105 game win streak. This season she was named to the Naismith High School Player of the Year watch list and in 2013 was named Texas girls basketball player of the year by three different organizations. Off the court, Atkins volunteers as a youth basketball instructor, participates in an elementary school student mentorship program and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Throughout her high school career, she's maintained a GPA above 3.5 and is scheduled to graduate in the top eight percent of her class.
"I am just so thankful to be named Morgan Wootten Player of the Year," said Atkins. "But I can't take the full credit, there are so many people who have helped me become the person and player I am today, and on behalf of them I say thank you."
Atkins and fellow Texas signee Brooke McCarty will play in the 2014 McDonald's All American Game at Chicago's United Center on April 2. The Girls Game begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:30 p.m. CT. Tickets to the 2014 McDonald's All American Games are available now through Ticketmaster or charge-by-phone at 1-866-909-GAME. Tickets start at $10 and include free parking. Net proceeds from the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). The Games have raised more than $10 million for RMHC since 1978.
About Coach Morgan Wootten
During Wootten's 43-year career as head basketball coach at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md., he earned a reputation for being an excellent basketball coach and mentor. In addition to his five national high school championship titles and 33 conference championships, Wootten had the unique distinction of having every DeMatha senior player receive a four-year college scholarship during his final 30 years of coaching. Now retired, Wootten was the first basketball coach, at any level, to reach 1,200 wins. He is the author of numerous books and is a famed basketball speaker and mentor. Coach Wootten has served as head of the selection committee for the McDonald's All American Games since its inception in 1977.