Darion Atkins
{{short description|American basketball player}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Darion Atkins
| image = Darion Atkins 18 iLab Basketbol TBL 20241012 (3) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Atkins with iLab Basketbol in October 2024
| position = Power forward / center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 230
| league = LBA
| team = Pallacanestro Reggiana
| number = 18
| nationality = American
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|9|17}}
| birth_place = Clinton, Maryland
| high_school = Landon School (Bethesda, Maryland)
| college = Virginia (2011–2015)
| draft_year = 2015
| career_start = 2015
| years1 = 2015–2016
| team1 = Westchester Knicks
| years2 = 2016–2017
| team2 = Hapoel Holon
| years3 = 2017–2018
| team3 = SIG Strasbourg
| years4 = 2018–2019
| team4 = Hapoel Holon
| years5 = 2019
| team5 = Canarias
| years6 = 2019–2020
| team6 = Brose Bamberg
| years7 = 2020
| team7 = AEK Athens
| years8 = 2020–2021
| team8 = Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor
| years9 = 2021–2022
| team9 = Niners Chemnitz
| years10 = 2022–2023
| team10 = Dolomiti Energia Trento
| years11 = 2023–present
| team11 = UnaHotels Reggio Emilia
| highlights=
- French Cup winner (2018)
- All-Israeli League Second Team (2017)
- Israeli League All-Star (2017)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2015)
- ACC All-Defensive Team (2015)
- Lefty Driesell Award (2015)
}}
File:Darion Atkins Holon.jpg in October 2016]]
Darion Ray Atkins (born September 17, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for UnaHotels Reggio Emilia of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for the University of Virginia before playing professionally in Israel, France and Germany. Standing at {{height|ft=6|in=8}}, he primarily plays at the power forward and center positions.
Early life and college career
File:Darion Atkins.jpg in November 2014]]
Atkins attended the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he averaged 15.2 points, 12 rebounds and 7.3 blocks per game as a senior, earning All-Interstate Athletic Conference honors.{{cite web|url=http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/darion_atkins_791196.html|title=Darion Atkins Bio|work=VirginiaSports.com|accessdate=February 26, 2015|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706051144/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/darion_atkins_791196.html|url-status=dead}}
Atkins had offers from Notre Dame and Maryland, but he chose to attend the University of Virginia,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLpgVsVp2pE|title=CUE: Men's Basketball - Darion Atkins|work=youtube.com|date=February 26, 2015|accessdate=September 10, 2015}} where he averaged 7.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game in his senior year.
On March 8, 2015, Atkins was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.theacc.com/news/duke-okafor-voted-acc-player-of-the-year-03-08-2015|title=Duke's Okafor voted ACC Player of the Year|work=theacc.com|date=March 8, 2015|accessdate=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314193746/http://www.theacc.com/news/duke-okafor-voted-acc-player-of-the-year-03-08-2015|archive-date=March 14, 2015|url-status=dead}} On April 3, 2015, Atkins was named Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year Award.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Bolt/Darion-Atkins-named-National-Defensive-Player-of-the-Year-36590267|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727024521/https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Bolt/Darion-Atkins-named-National-Defensive-Player-of-the-Year-36590267|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 27, 2018|title=Darion Atkins named National Defensive Player of the Year|work=247sports.com|date=April 3, 2015|accessdate=July 27, 2018}}
Professional career
=Westchester Knicks (2015–2016)=
After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Atkins joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2015 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/spurs-announce-2015-summer-league-rosters-utah-las-vegas|title=Spurs Announce 2015 Summer League Rosters for Utah Las Vegas|work=NBA.com|date=July 3, 2015|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} On September 10, 2015, Atkins signed with the New York Knicks.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-sign-darion-atkins-and-wesley-saunders|title=Knicks Sign Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders|work=NBA.com|date=September 10, 2015|accessdate=September 10, 2015}} However, he was later waived by the New York on October 23 after appearing in three preseason games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-waive-five-players|title=Knicks Waive Five Players|work=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2015|accessdate=October 23, 2015}} On November 2, he was acquired by the Westchester Knicks of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=5066025|title=Westchester Knicks Finalize 2015-16 Training Camp Roster|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=November 2, 2015|accessdate=November 3, 2015}}
=Hapoel Holon (2016–2017)=
On July 1, 2016, Atkins joined the Golden State Warriors for the 2016 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|title=Warriors announce 2016 Summer League roster|url=https://247sports.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/article/warriors-announce-2016-summer-league-roster-46068275/|date=July 1, 2016|work=247sports.com|access-date=July 27, 2018}}
On August 5, 2016, Atkins signed a one-year deal with the Israeli team Hapoel Holon.{{cite web|title=Darion Atkins signs with Hapoel Holon|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/israel/208827/darion-atkins-signs-with-hapoel-holon.html|date=August 5, 2016|work=Sportando.basketball|accessdate=October 16, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On October 22, 2016, Atkins recorded a career-high 26 points, shooting 11-of-16 from the field, along with 13 rebounds in a 72–81 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv.{{cite web|title=Winner League, Game 3: M. Tel-Aviv Vs UNET Holon - Box Score|url=http://basket.co.il/game-zone.asp?GameId=22407&lang=en|date=October 22, 2016|work=basket.co.il|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} On November 3, 2016, Atkins was named Israeli League Player of the Month for games played in October.{{cite web|title=מצטיין חודש אוקטובר בליגת ווינר סל: דריון אטקינס|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=8675|date=November 3, 2016|work=basket.co.il|accessdate=July 27, 2018|language=he}} On April 18, 2017, Atkins participated in the 2017 Israeli League All-Star Game.
Atkins helped Holon reach the 2017 Israeli League Playoffs as the first seed, but they eventually were eliminated by Maccabi Haifa in the Quarterfinals. On June 9, 2017, Atkins earned a spot in the 2017 All-Israeli League Second Team.{{cite web|title=חמישיית מצטייני העונה בליגת ווינר סל|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=15668|date=June 9, 2017|work=basket.co.il|accessdate=July 27, 2018|language=he}}
=SIG Strasbourg (2017–2018)=
On July 3, 2017, Atkins joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2017 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|title=Phoenix Suns announce roster for NBA Summer League in Las Vegas|url=http://arizonasports.com/story/1165849/phoenix-suns-announce-roster-nba-summer-league-las-vegas/|date=July 3, 2017|work=ArizonaSports.com|accessdate=July 3, 2017}}
On July 21, 2017, Atkins signed with the French team SIG Strasbourg for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=SIG Strasbourg signs Darion Atkins|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/france/241878/sig-strasbourg-signs-darion-atkins.html|date=July 21, 2017|work=Sportando.basketball|accessdate=July 21, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On December 5, 2017, Atkins recorded a season-high 23 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the field, along with four rebounds in an 87–72 win over Banvit.{{cite web|title=SIG Strasbourg signs Darion Atkins|url=http://www.championsleague.basketball/17-18/game/0512/SIG-Strasbourg-Banvit|date=December 5, 2017|work=ChampionsLeague.basketball|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} He was subsequently made the Champions League Team of the Week.{{cite web|title=Walden, Blatt, Weems, Atkins and Kikanovic make Team of the Week|url=http://www.championsleague.basketball/17-18/news/walden-blatt-weems-atkins-and-kikanovic-make-team-of-the-week|date=December 7, 2017|work=ChampionsLeague.basketball|accessdate=July 27, 2018}} Atkins went on to win the 2018 French Cup with Strasbourg.
=Return to Hapoel Holon (2018–2019)=
On July 28, 2018, Atkins returned to Hapoel Holon for a second stint, signing a one-year deal with an option for another one.{{cite web|title=עוד קאמבק בסגול: אטקינס חוזר לחולון|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=19210|date=July 28, 2018|work=basket.co.il|accessdate=July 28, 2018|language=he}} On March 16, 2019, Atkins recorded a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 10-of-13 from the field, along with two assists in a 101–82 win over Hapoel Jerusalem. He was subsequently named Israeli League Round 22 MVP.{{cite web|title=מצטיין המחזור ה-22: דריון אטקינס|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=20974|access-date=March 19, 2019|work=basket.co.il|date=March 19, 2019|language=he}} Atkins helped Holon reach the 2019 FIBA Europe Cup Semifinals, where they eventually were eliminated by Dinamo Sassari.
=Iberostar Tenerife (2019)=
On July 19, 2019, Atkins signed with Spanish club Iberostar Tenerife.{{cite news |title=ACB.COM - Darion Atkins, poderío e intensidad para la pintura del Iberostar Tenerife |url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=147320 |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=www.acb.com |date=19 July 2019 |language=es-ES }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On December 18, 2019, he parted ways with Tenerife after appearing in 17 games.{{cite news|title=Darion Atkins, Tenerife part ways|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/darion-atkins-tenerife-part-ways/|date=December 18, 2019|work=Sportando.basketball|accessdate=December 18, 2019|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}
=Brose Bamberg (2019–2020)=
On December 19, 2019, Atkins signed with Brose Bamberg of the German Basketball Bundesliga for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Darion Atkins signs with Bamberg|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/darion-atkins-signs-with-bamberg/|date=December 19, 2019|work=Sportando.basketball|accessdate=December 19, 2019|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }} He averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
=AEK (2020)=
On September 22, 2020, Atkins signed with AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League.{{cite web |title=AEK BC signs Atkins |url=https://www.aekbc.gr/en/articles-3504/aek-bc-signs-atkins.htm |website=aekbc.gr |accessdate=September 22, 2020 |date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002011408/https://www.aekbc.gr/en/articles-3504/aek-bc-signs-atkins.htm |url-status=dead }}
=Fethiye Belediyespor (2020–2021)=
On October 15, 2020, he has signed with Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor of the Turkish BSL.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/lokman-hekim-fethiye-belediyespor-land-darion-atkins/|title=Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor land Darion Atkins|last=|first=|date=October 15, 2020|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=October 15, 2020|last1=Carchia |first1=Emiliano }}
=Niners Chemnitz (2021–2022)=
=Aquila Basket Trento (2022–2023)=
On July 26, 2022, he has signed with Dolomiti Energia Trento of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/aquila-trento-officially-signs-darion-atkins/|title=Aquila Trento officially signs Darion Atkins|last=|first=|date=July 26, 2022|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 10, 2022|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}
Personal life
The son of Minnette Atkins, he has a twin brother, Darius (a professional dancer in New York City){{Cite web|title = UVa's Atkins and his twin brother shine on different stages|url = http://www.dailyprogress.com/cavalierinsider/m_basketball/uva-s-atkins-and-his-twin-brother-shine-on-different/article_1641681c-4f91-11e2-a721-001a4bcf6878.html|website = The Daily Progress| date=26 December 2012 |accessdate = 2015-12-17}} and majored in sociology. Atkins claims soccer as his favorite sport other than basketball, and cites FC Barcelona as his favorite soccer team.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6e58EEogDY|title=Athlete Profile: Darion Atkins|work=youtube.com|date=January 30, 2015|accessdate=September 10, 2015}}
Career statistics
{{Basketball player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011–12
| style="text-align:left;"| Virginia
| 27 || 0 || 10.2 || .581 || .000 || .579 || 2.3 || .1 || .4 || .7 || 2.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13
| style="text-align:left;"| Virginia
| 26 || 12 || 15.7 || .491 || .000 || .600 || 3.1 || .3 || .4 || 1.1 || 4.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14
| style="text-align:left;"| Virginia
| 37 || 3 || 10.4 || .484 || .000 || .583 || 2.2 || .3 || .2 || .5 || 3.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15
| style="text-align:left;"| Virginia
| 33 || 27 || 23.9 || .511 || .000 || .520 || 6.0 || .7 || .8 || 1.1 || 7.6
|-class="sortbottom"
| colspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| Career
| 123 || 42 || 15.1 || .508 || .000 || .562 || 3.4 || .4 || .5 || .8 || 4.4
{{S-end}}
=Domestic Leagues=
{{Basketball player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| 2015–16
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1|{{flagicon|USA|size=20px}} Westchester Knicks
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| NBDL
| 50 || 29.4 || .462 || .167 || .562 || 7.3 || 1.7 || .9 || 1.3 || 8.7
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1|{{flagicon|ISR|size=20px}} Hapoel Holon
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| IPL
| 37 || 27.2 || .590 || .375 || .616 || 8.2 || .6 || .7 || .7 || 13.6
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1|{{flagicon|FRA|size=20px}} SIG Strasbourg
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| Pro A
| 41 || 21.2 || .497 || .260 || .697 || 4.7 || 1.2 || .6 || .6 || 8.8
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1|{{flagicon|ISR|size=20px}} Hapoel Holon
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| IPL
| 37 || 24.3 || .596 || .394 || .737 || 7.2 || 1.0 || .7 || 1.0 || 12.4
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| 2019
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=1|{{flagicon|ESP|size=20px}} Canarias
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1| ACB
| 10 || 13.5 || .209 || .125 || .500 || 2.5 || .5 || .0 || .1 || 2.4
|-
|}
Source: [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Darion-Atkins/Summary/28813 RealGM]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/darion_atkins_791196.html Virginia Cavaliers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706051144/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/darion_atkins_791196.html |date=2017-07-06 }}
- [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Darion-Atkins/Summary/28813 RealGM profile]
{{Lefty Driesell Award}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkins, Darion}}
Category:American expatriate basketball people in France
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Aquila Basket Trento players
Category:Bamberg Baskets players
Category:Fethiye Belediyespor players
Category:Hapoel Holon B.C. players
Category:Niners Chemnitz players
Category:People from Clinton, Maryland
Category:Basketball players from Prince George's County, Maryland
Category:SIG Strasbourg players
Category:Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball players