Bio:

Height: 5-10
Position: G
Years Pro: 7
College: Texas

2025 Season Overview: The Chicago Sky acquired Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics in February 2025, giving the Sky a WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist. In her first season with the Sky, she averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, all of which were among some of her best career figures. She started all 34 of her appearances, providing Chicago with consistent scoring, veteran leadership and strong perimeter defense.

In Atkins’ debut with Chicago on May 17, she delivered a well-rounded performance with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. On May 27, she recorded her first game with 20 or more points as a member of the Sky. Atkins continued her strong offensive play through the opening month of the season. On May 31, she posted one of her most complete performances of the year, finishing with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals on 57.1% shooting from the field, while also recording a season-high four made three-pointers.

Throughout the season, Atkins delivered several standout performances, finishing the year with seven games scoring 20 or more points, while shooting a career-high 44.4% from the field. From June 10 to July 8, Atkins had a particularly strong stretch of play, scoring in double figures for eleven consecutive games, a run that included three games with 20 or more points.

Atkins made a huge impact on the Sky’s June 29 win against Los Angeles. She scored 20 points and knocked down a big three-pointer to put the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter. She also knocked down the game-clinching free throws.

She recorded a season-high 30 points on Aug. 25 against Las Vegas, going 55.6% (10 of 18) from the field, 60.0% (3 of 5) from three and 100% (7 of 7) from the free throw line. She also added seven assists in that game along with four rebounds and a block.

Atkins also showcased her expanded playmaking ability, averaging a career-best 3.6 assists per game. Serving as a secondary ball-handler, she provided balance to Chicago’s offense and consistently created opportunities for her teammates.

Defensively, Atkins continued to demonstrate why she has long been regarded as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. Averaging 1.6 steals per game, she ranked among the league’s top five in that category.

2025 Season Milestones:

May 17 – Made her first appearance in a Sky uniform
May 22 – Reached 400 career made three-pointers
May 27 – Scored her first 20+ point game with the Sky against Phoenix
May 31 – Scored a then-season high 26 points and a season-high four 3-pointers against Dallas
May 31 – Reached 3,000 career points
June 10 – Began her 11 game stretch of double-digit scoring, lasting through July 8
June 22 – Broke her then-season high of 26 points with 29 points against Atlanta
June 27 – Scored 20 points against Golden State
June 29 – Scored 20 points against Los Angeles
After the June 29 game, Atkins was one of just three players in the league with 200+ points, 50+ rebounds, 50+ assists, 20+ steals and 10+ blocks in the league. After a week off, Atkins is still one of just eight players on that list, along with Dearica Hamby, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Gabby Williams, Rhyne Howard and Paige Bueckers. The only players to hit those thresholds in as many or fewer games as Atkins were Wilson, Collier and Bueckers.
July 6 – Following the July 6 game, only Gabby Williams (a 2025 WNBA All-Star) had reached 200 points, 50 rebounds, 50 assists, 30 steals and 10 blocks in as few games as Atkins. Atkins also tied her season high for steals in a game with four
July 12 – Scored 27 points against Minnesota, helping the Sky knock off the team with the best record in the league
Aug. 5 – Returned from a July 14 injury against Washington, scoring 15 points to help the Sky defeat the Mystics.
Aug. 25 – Recorded a season-high 30 points against Las Vegas
Averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds (tied for career high), 3.6 assists (career high), 1.6 steals (second-most in career), 0.7 blocks (career high)
Shot 44.4% from the field (career high), 36.1% from three, 86.0% from the free throw line
13.1 points ranked third on the Sky and total points were second
Led the team in steals per game (1.6) and total steals (53)
Third on team in assists per game and led team in total assists (122)
Second-best three-point percentage on team (36.0%)
She scored 20 or more points in seven games
From May 27-31, Atkins averaged 21.3 points after notching a then-season-high 26 points on May 31 against Dallas
Entering June 21, Atkins was one of four players in the 2025 season with at least 20 steals and 8 blocks, joining Napheesa Collier, Azura Stevens and Satou Sabally. She, Collier and Sabally are the only three players this season with at least 30 assists, 20 steals and 8 blocks
Atkins pulled down a season-high six rebounds against Seattle on Aug. 19. She also scored 19 points

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