Holon completed their foreigners' roster by signing point guard Ivory Latta, University of North Carolina graduate who's currently playing for the WNBA's Detroit Shock.
Ivory Latta (22, 5'6) is the type of player that you either love or hate, but you can't be indifferent towards. She is fast as lightning, full of energy and enthusiasm, hasn't met a shot she didn't like and models her game after Allen Iverson. Her fans will tell you she makes up for her major lack in size with the size of her heart. Latta was named Player of The Year in 05/06 by ESPN, a season which ended with a Final Four loss to Shay Doron's Maryland which went on to win the title. Latta finished the season averaging 18.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, and won the Nancy Lieberman award for Point Guard of The Year. UNC finished the season 33-2, both losses to Maryland.
In the 06/07 season the Tar Heels again made the Final Four and lost to the eventual champion, Tennessee Lady Vols. Latta averagd 16.2 points and 4.2 assists per game on the season, and many predicted her going #1 in the WNBA draft, or at least in the top 3. That didn't happen and Latta slipped to #11 when the defending champs Detroit Shock were pleased to call her name.
Latta plays behind an excellent backcourt in Detroit, including Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan in the starting lineup and Elaine Powell and Shannon Johnson off the bench. Despite that, coach Bill Laimbeer has been able to find some minutes for the rookie and she played in 29 games this year, averaging 2.5 points (39.4% FGs) in 5.9 minutes per game.
Latta joins DeTrina White, Shiran Zairy, Alvine Mendeng, Adi Lux and Hana Haleli in Holon.
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Latta in Tar Heels blue (SI.com) |