Make no mistake that Ta’Niya Latson has been on a tear this season. The nation’s leading scorer reigns in Tallahassee, Florida, and she continues to improve game in and game out. Due to Latson’s production throughout his season, she has won multiple Player of the Week honors and has placed herself in the National Player of the Year conversations.
It’s safe to say that Latson deserves to be in the conversation as the best in the world. When you think of women’s college basketball, the first names that come to mind may be Hannah Hidalgo, Juju Watkins, and Paige Bueckers. However, I can tell you that Latson is just as good as the three players that were mentioned. She has the skillset and mindset to compete at the highest level. Latson’s game being overlooked has placed a chip on her shoulder to come out and produce at a high level this season.
Latson has been on a scoring rampage since the tip of the season. She’s currently the leading scorer in the nation at 27.7 points and has scored 20+ points in 13 of her 15 games played. Watching Latson score the basketball has been a thing of beauty. Her strong suit has always been finishing around the rim as she possesses great timing and body control. However, Latson’s perimeter shooting has been an area that’s shown vast improvements this season.
Heading into this season, Latson shot 27 percent from the three-point line. As the season has progressed, that percentage has skyrocketed to 43 percent. Certainly, Latson put in off-season work when nobody was watching. When you watch her improvements, she’s more comfortable as a shooter and her confidence is at an all-time high. Latson has four games this season where she’s made three or more threes this season. As she continues to shoot a high percentage from behind the arc, the more dangerous she is as a scorer.
The scoring rampage hasn’t stopped for Latson. Her most notable performance was scoring a career-high 40 points in a road win over Virginia Tech. However, Latson has also delivered seven thirty-point performances including 39 points in the Seminoles’ first ACC win against SMU. Carrying the scoring load has been on Latson’s shoulders all season. Her team trusts her to be the focal point in the offense on a nightly basis.
Outside of scoring, Latson has improved in other areas that have not been highlighted enough. There’s a reason why the Seminoles have begun the season at 13-3 in the first 16 games. When a team’s best player is competing on both ends of the floor, it leads to success. Latson’s defense has elevated this season. She’s applying more pressure by picking up full court and forcing ball-handlers to turn the ball over. Latson is averaging a career-high 2.8 steals and has recorded 3+ steals in 10 games. Due to the contributions of Latson, Makayla Timpson, and the rest of the team, Florida State has improved tremendously as a defensive team.
Let's also discuss playmaking. With all of the attention that Ta’Niya Latson draws, it’s only right she continues to improve her passing ability. With the speed that Latson plays with, she does a great job of being a quick decision-maker. Anytime she’s on the break, she reads the floor very well and finds open teammates in both pick and roll situations as well as spotting up behind the three-point line.
Latson’s 4.1 assist average doesn’t explain how gifted of a passer she has become. I would advise fans to go back and watch her performance against NC Central in November, the game where she recorded a career-high 10 assists. Latson had the ball on a string. The way she dished from one teammate to the next was spectacular. All five starters for Florida State scored in double-figures that night due to Latson sharing the ball and helping her teammates shine.
Ta’Niya Latson is displaying a historic season in College Basketball. It’s also a season that could make her the greatest player in Florida State Women’s Basketball history. As for her scoring, Latson is inching close to becoming the #1 scorer in program history. As she stands behind former Florida State greats Natasha Howard and Shakayla Thomas, Latson is right around the corner to surpassing them this season.
With all of the accomplishments Latson has made this season, she’s still not satisfied. The goal for her as a leader is to put Florida State on the map as one of the top contenders in the country. Therefore, Latson is preparing her team for March when the NCAA Tournament begins. The Seminoles haven’t advanced past the first round in six years, which includes last year’s loss vs Alabama. With that on the back of her mind, Latson wants to be ready to capitalize off her great season with a deep Tournament run.