Ta'Niya Latson deserves mention alongside Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, claims NCAA analyst

Florida State Seminoles guard Ta'Niya Latson is the wildest entry to the 2024 NCAA scoring leaderboard. Averaging 27.9 points per game, she has held the top spot for the majority of the season. On the other hand, JuJu Watkins (25.1 ppg) and Paige Bueckers (19.9 ppg), who were the preseason favorites to lead Division I in scoring, are ranked No. 3 and No. 23 respectively.

With that, as media coverage failed to capture the significance of Latson's continued scoring surge, Ivory Latta presented the guard with her flowers. The former WNBA player and ACC analyst expressed disbelief at Latson's dismal media representation and highlighted her basketball journey.

"I do not know, and it baffles me because this lady is a walking, sleeping bucket," Latta said, according to an Instagram post on Monday.

"I mean, that's what she does best, and that's getting to the basket, being able to finish throughout contact. Her percentages is good, she is improved from last year, her 3-point percentage. And you're telling me we cannot sit here and talk more about this young lady? Not only she leading in the ACC but in the nation?"

Ta'Niya Latson jumped from being ranked 13th last season (21.3 ppg) to leading the nation. JuJu Watkins is yet to touch her production of 27.0 ppg last season. Similarly, Paige Bueckers has also struggled to reach her previous season's average (21.3 ppg).

Alongside improving her 3-point shot from 27.0% to 45.5% this season, Latson is also averaging a career best in every guard-oriented statistical category.

National Player of the Year power rankings also continue to overlook Ta'Niya Latson

Despite putting up a string of fantastic performances, the latest power rankings for NCAA Player of the Year ranked Ta'Niya last on the top five list.

Latson is placed behind Paige Bueckers, Lauren Betts (UCLA), JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame).

While Latson's stock continues to fly under the radar, it's essential to note that Florida State (13-2) has yet to play a ranked team like this season. Even though the award captures the individual aspect of a player, team success can also factor in the final decision.

With that, Ta'Niya Latson's candidacy for the national award will be dependent on how Florida State performs in the stronger part of its schedule.