NCAAW: FSU’s Ta’Niya Latson lets her game and her God speak for her

The casual observer of women’s college basketball may think the nation’s leading scorer comes from a powerhouse program. Maybe South Carolina, UConn, USC or UCLA?

But in fact, it is junior guard Ta’Niya Latson of No. 23-ranked Florida State.

She is currently averaging 26 points, four assists and four rebounds per game, while shooting 47 percent from the field. Latson has put up some big-time performances, scoring more than 20 points in 21 of 24 games, including 40 points against Virginia Tech on Jan. 2, tying the record for the most points scored in a single game in program history.

All the while, the Seminoles are trekking along with a respectable 19-5 record, including a 9-3 mark in the ACC.

Since arriving at Florida State in the fall of 2023, Latson has created her own history. As a freshman, she set the single-season ACC scoring record with 659 points, averaging 21 points per game and finishing 11th in the nation in scoring. This season, Latson reached the 400-point plateau faster than any junior in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history, surpassing the record established by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. She also has been named to the midseason watch lists for both the Ann Meyers Drysdale and Wooden awards.

The stats and honors, however, fail to capture to full breadth of Latson’s talent.

She plays with the sheer intensity and passion of one who is wanting to constantly push herself as far as she can. She is known for her ability to weave past defenses to where they become out of sorts. She is unafraid to take risky shots against much bigger defenders in a manner that resembles the Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper. And even her most audacious shots somehow manage to find a way into the hoop more often than not.

Not too bad for a young girl who grew up under the watchful eye of a father who taught her how to play and wanted her to succeed. She brought that to the high school hardwood where she won a remarkable three state championships in two different states, Florida and Georgia. She won her first two state titles, along with a GEICO National title, as a junior at Westlake High School in Atlanta, where she played with South Carolina’s Raven Johnson. Latson then played at American Heritage High School in Plantation, FL, winning another state championship. She also was named Florida Miss Basketball and Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, in addition to being selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Game.

Latson has never been one to let success get to her head, as she is sustained by her family, a strong connection to a higher being and the need to remain humble as she seeks to be all that she can be.

In an interview with Swish Appeal, Latson talked about her hopes for the remainder of the season, her humble philosophy, the players she wants to emulate, her prospects for the postseason and her plans for the future.

At this point in the season, with all that’s been going on, how are you feeling?

I’m feeling pretty good. I mean…the preparation we’ve had going into games, especially on the road, has been really, really good. I’m liking where my team is right now. We’re clicking at the right time, I feel like. And usually around this time of the year, it gets the toughest because, you know, it’s February and March [is] coming up. It’s usually tough, but I feel pretty good.

What does it mean for you to be the nation’s leading scorer?

It means a lot. I put a lot of work in the offseason, just trying to improve my 3-point shooting. And I feel like I have done that and, you know, allow myself to be me while also getting my teammates involved. I just wanted to play a complete game on defense and offense. And I feel like I’ve done that so far this season.

When I see you play, you come across as the type of player who lives for the big moments and wants to carry your team on your shoulders. You play with such a passion for the game. Where does that passion come from?

Just like from when I was little, I always played against my little siblings a lot. We used to play in the backyard a lot. I used to play with my dad a lot. He was really tough on me when it came to basketball. So it’s something that I truly am passionate about. It’s always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. So yeah, I feel like that translates to the college level. And then it starts in practice really. I know what my team needs of me and also how much they have my back and I have to have theirs. So yeah, just the preparation and, you know, the passion that goes into it each and every day.

Who are some of the players that you grew up watching? Or, who are players that you’re a fan of today and want to pattern your game after?

I love Zia Cooke. One of the players I used to watch when I was in middle school was Zia Cooke. She was amazing in high school and college and even at the pro level. And Candace Parker was my favorite player. I went to see her play against the Las Vegas Aces when they first became a team. And I got to meet her, so that was like a blessing. But yeah, those are the two that I really idolized growing up.

You play with a tremendous amount of passion, excitement and enthusiasm for the game. What do you do to get psyched up before the game? What kind of music do you listen to?

Yeah. I’m a little weird. I have to set goals for myself before every game, just to stay engaged. You know, sometimes I’ll be like, we’re playing like Wake Forest, Boston College, “Okay, I want 20 at half,” or, “I want this many assists at half.” You know, just to keep up with what I wanna achieve this season. And like I said, it starts in practice, too. Like I know if I have a great practice, I’ll have a great, great game. So, I had to get up extra shots before a game. But other than that, I just give the rest to God.

I pray before the game, and whatever outcome happens, it happens. But I know I had put in the preparation for the work before I get to the game. So that’s usually how I go about game day.

A lot of athletes rely on something like faith to get them through or to be a motivator. It sounds like that’s really the case for you?

Yeah. Definitely

At this point in the season, it’s crunch time. Conference tournament, then the NCAA tournament. What’s your ultimate goal going into this part of the season?

Just to go deep in a tournament. We haven’t had the best history in the NCAA Tournament these past couple years. We’ve made it to the tournament. We just gotta do something in the tournament. And I feel like that’s been a goal since the beginning of the season. It started in summer. We knew where we wanted to go. And we got a couple more games to finish out the regular season. I feel like, if we can get those Ws, it’ll push us in March, for sure. Like I said, we’re clicking at the right time.

We wanna see a Sweet 16, Elite Eight. You never know. So yeah, just putting the preparation in and putting the work in and staying grounded and getting closer and better as a team every day. It’s going to help us. It feels like a big time in a tournament. I feel like we are going to be a team that is going to shock a lot of people. And it’s showing that we can compete with the best. But yeah, we’re gonna be prepared. And then, I mean…

It’s your junior year. You have one more year of college basketball ahead of you, but I’m curious to know, what does the future hold for you in terms of basketball? I would imagine it’s your dream to go to the WNBA?

Oh, yeah. Definitely. I plan on leaving after my senior year. I plan on declaring for the draft for 2026. Yeah, that’s always been a goal of mine since I was a little girl. So you know, just to see that happen….I’m putting in the work now, and sooner it’ll translate to the W. I got a lot to learn and I still am growing in my game. So, I’m just excited for the process. Just taking it day by day and, like I said, give Him the rest. Staying humble and staying grounded.