Ivory Latta facts for kids
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| No. 12 | |
|---|---|
| Point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 25, 1984 McConnells, South Carolina, U.S. |
| High school | York Comprehensive (York, South Carolina) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Listed weight | 138 lb (63 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | North Carolina (2003–2007) |
| NBA Draft | 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11th overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Shock | |
| Pro career | 2007–2017 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2007 | Detroit Shock |
| 2007–2008 | Elitzur Holon |
| 2008–2009 | Atlanta Dream |
| 2008–2009 | Ceyhan Belediyesi |
| 2009–2010 | Mersin BŞB |
| 2010–2012 | Tulsa Shock |
| 2011–2012 | Tarsus Belediye |
| 2013 | Maccabi Ramat Hen |
| 2013–2017 | Washington Mystics |
| 2015–2016 | Edirne Belediyesi Edirnespor |
| As coach: | |
| 2013–2015 | North Carolina (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ivory Latta (born September 25, 1984) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. She was chosen 11th overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2007 WNBA Draft. Ivory is known for her amazing three-point shots and her energetic playing style. She played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. She holds the record for the most points scored in South Carolina high school basketball history, with 4,319 points!
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Early Life and High School Success
Ivory Latta was born in McConnells, South Carolina. She played basketball for York Comprehensive High School in York, South Carolina. During her high school years, she was named a WBCA All-American. In 2003, she played in the WBCA High School All-America Game. She scored seventeen points and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game.
College Basketball Journey
Ivory Latta had a fantastic college career at North Carolina. She won many awards and honors. In 2006, she was named Player of the Year by several groups, including ESPN.com. She also won the Nancy Lieberman Award as the best point guard in 2006.
She was a Consensus All-American in 2006 and the ACC Player of the Year in the same year. Ivory was also named the MVP of the ACC Tournament three times, from 2005 to 2007. She was part of the All-ACC First Team multiple times. During her time at North Carolina, she averaged 16.6 points per game. Her jersey number, 12, was retired by the North Carolina Tar Heels to honor her achievements.
Professional Basketball Career
Ivory Latta began her professional career when the Detroit Shock drafted her in 2007. In her first year, she had one of the best three-point shooting percentages in the WNBA. She even reached the WNBA Finals with the Shock in her rookie season, but they lost to the Phoenix Mercury.
In 2008, Ivory was traded to the Atlanta Dream. She also played basketball overseas in Turkey during the WNBA off-season. After playing for the Dream, she joined the Tulsa Shock in 2010 and played there until 2012.
In 2013, Ivory joined the Washington Mystics. This was a big year for her because she was chosen to play in the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time! She was selected again in 2014 as an All-Star replacement.
In 2016, Ivory had a knee injury that kept her from playing for the rest of the season. However, she came back strong in 2017 and played in all 34 games. That year, the Mystics made it further in the playoffs than ever before, reaching the semi-finals.
Playing Overseas
Besides playing in the WNBA, Ivory Latta also played for several teams in Europe:
- 2007–2008: Elitzur Holon (Israel)
- 2008–2009: Ceyhan Belediyesi (Turkey)
- 2009–2010: Mersin BŞB (Turkey)
- 2010–2011: Maccabi Ramat Hen (Israel)
- 2011–2012: Tarsus Belediye (Turkey)
- 2013: Maccabi Ramat Hen (Israel)
- 2015–2016: Edirne Belediyesi Edirnespor (Turkey)
Personal Life and Advocacy
Ivory Latta is admired not just for her basketball skills but also for her work off the court. On January 9, 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives honored her with a special resolution. She also received the key to the city of York, South Carolina, where she went to high school. January 10, 2003, was even celebrated as Ivory Latta Day in York!
Ivory's father and grandmother both live with Parkinson's disease. This experience has made her a strong advocate for the cause. She works as an ambassador for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF). In this role, she helps raise money and spread awareness about Parkinson's disease. She also encourages other athletes to support the cause.
Ivory is also known for her friendships with famous people like NBA superstar LeBron James and actor/rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges.
Awards and Honors
- 2006 – Nancy Lieberman Award
