Latson earns Hammon praise after Aces opportunity

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.”