Player Profile: Ivory Latta

DREAM PLAYER PROFILE: IVORY LATTA

When you enter the Atlanta Dream’s practice court at Philips Arena, you will usually hear point guard Ivory Latta before you see her.   That’s because the 5’6” lightning-quick point guard possesses an infectious enthusiasm for the game that she expresses every minute on the court.

Latta spent much of her rookie season in Detroit playing behind veteran guards.  Despite the lack of opportunities, Latta appeared in 31 games for the Shock and was productive in her time on the court, finishing third in the league in three-pointers per 40 minutes. 

During the expansion draft, Coach Marynell Meadors orchestrated a trade to bring Latta to Atlanta.  The Dream traded the 18th draft pick in the 2008 Draft and forward LaToya Thomas to Detroit in exchange for Latta, who has quickly emerged as one of the team’s most vocal leaders.   

A native of McConnells, South Carolina and a standout at the University of North Carolina, Latta is a familiar face to fans in the southeast.  Latta shattered the state high school scoring record at York Comprehensive High School (SC) and led the Cougars to a state championship in 2002.  She continued her success at North Carolina, finishing as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,285 points and becoming only the second women’s basketball player in school history to have her jersey retired. 

Prior to her arrival in Atlanta, Latta spent the last several months starring for Holon in Israel.  Latta was among the league leaders in many categories, averaging 23.5 points ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.9 rpg and 1.1 spg during the season.

After coming off the bench in her first three games with the Dream, Latta assumed the starting point guard position against the Washington Mystics on May 27, 2008 and has elevated her play ever since.  The team’s current leader in assists, Latta also ranks among the league leaders in assists per game and assist to turnover ratio.    

No one is more excited than Latta be back playing close to home.  “Playing in the Southeast is great because my family and friends are going to be able to come see me play,” Latta said.  “I know Atlanta is definitely going to come out and support the team, and we are going to bring a lot of excitement this season.”  

Latta’s friends and family have already made the road trip to Atlanta to watch the hometown favorite in Dream uniform.  Latta had her own cheering section of approximately 200 fans at the Dream’s home opening weekend.  With her exciting style of play and the energy she brings to the floor every night, Latta is sure to make new fans every game.