Becky Hammon did not need much time to explain how she feels about Ta’Niya Latson.
“I was goo-goo ga-ga over this girl when she was at Florida State,” the Las Vegas Aces coach said Tuesday during her pregame press conference at Michelob ULTRA Arena before Las Vegas’ game against the Washington Mystics.
Latson had given Hammon plenty to be excited about two days earlier.
The rookie scored a team-high 20 points on 6-for-9 shooting in Las Vegas’ 111-71 loss to New York, turning an otherwise difficult end to a five-game road trip into the most substantial opportunity of her young WNBA career.
With A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray resting, Latson received extended minutes against one of the league’s top teams and responded by repeatedly attacking the basket.
She also made seven of eight free throws and continued pushing offensively even as New York pulled away.
For Hammon, the performance was less surprising than revealing.
“Greatness is in there,” Hammon said. “Giving her an opportunity — it’s still in there. That didn’t go anywhere. We just want to bring it out in her and give her an opportunity to bring it out.”
Latson’s willingness to attack stood out throughout the loss.
Rather than settling on the perimeter, the rookie repeatedly drove into the paint and put pressure on New York’s defense. She scored nine points in the fourth quarter and finished as one of the few consistent offensive threats for an Aces team that shot 39.7 percent.
Hammon said that style gives Las Vegas another element.
“She also adds some elements to our team — that downhill, assertive aggression to the rim,” Hammon said. “That’s something I love.”
Ready for the moment
The setting made the performance more notable. Latson was facing New York at Barclays Center, and with Las Vegas’ veterans out, younger players took on roles they normally would not see for an entire game.
Latson did not appear overwhelmed by the assignment.
“What she said to me is she’s a competitor and she’s ready for the moment,” Hammon said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
Hammon said it was probably the first WNBA game in which Latson received truly substantial playing time.
“To be able to come out and do that against a team like New York, in Brooklyn, the stage doesn’t get a whole lot bigger than that,” Hammon said. “I thought she was excellent. She showed a lot of maturity.”
The loss dropped Las Vegas to 22-11 and completed a 2-3 road trip, but Sunday also gave the Aces a longer look at players who normally operate behind a veteran-heavy rotation.
Latson made the most of hers.
“She impressed me,” Hammon said. “No doubt about it.”
Up next
Las Vegas hosts the Washington Mystics on Tuesday at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT. The teams meet again Thursday in Las Vegas.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
