Ivory Latta

Ivory Latta was born on September 25, 1984, in McConnells, South Carolina. She started her basketball journey at York Comprehensive High School, where she became the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina high school basketball history with 4,319 career points. Her exceptional talent earned her WBCA All-American honors and MVP at the 2003 WBCA High School All-America Game. Latta continued her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, where she consistently led her team and earned multiple accolades, including the 2006 USBWA National Player of the Year and the Nancy Lieberman Award for Point Guard of the Year. She led the Tar Heels to consecutive Final Four appearances in 2006 and 2007, solidifying her reputation as a top-tier player.

In 2007, Latta was drafted 11th overall by the Detroit Shock in the WNBA Draft. Her WNBA career spanned 12 years, during which she played for various teams including the Atlanta Dream, Tulsa Shock, and Washington Mystics. She earned two WNBA All-Star selections in 2013 and 2014, and set the Mystics’ all-time record for three-pointers made in a single season with 81 in 2014. Throughout her professional tenure, Latta was known for her three-point shooting ability, on-court intensity, and strong leadership. She also pursued an international playing career, with stints in Israel and Turkey.

Beyond basketball, Latta has actively engaged in community work, serving as an ambassador for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) due to personal family connections to the disease. In 2017, she received the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions. Latta has also explored other ventures, including launching an inspirational clothing line and participating in programs like Harvard Business School’s crossover into business. Her career progression highlights a commitment to sports excellence, community involvement, and personal development.