Natalia Ackerman

Photo by: Emmy Scherer

Photo by: Emmy Scherer

Natalia Ackerman vs CSU Bakersfield 1/20/24

Photo by: Tomas Gomez

Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics

Photo by: Owen Main

Photo by: Owen Main

Height:
6-1
Class:
Junior
High School:
Aptos HS
Hometown:
Watsonville, CA

2022-23 -- Played in 25 games, making 12 starts ... led the team and was top 10 in the Big West in rebounding at 6.1 per game ... recorded double-digit rebound games four times, including a career-high 13 twice ... was fifth on the team in scoring at 5.8 points per game ... scored in double figures seven times including a career-high 14 twice ... had two double-doubles on the year ... also led the team and was fourth in the Big West in blocks at 1.2 per game ... had a career-high seven blocks March 4 against UC Riverside, two shy of the single game program record ... off the court, earned Big West All-Academic honors.

2021-22 -- Was forced to miss entire season due to injury.

2020-21 -- Appeared in 9 games, averaging 1.9 points & 2.8 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game ... recorded a double-double on Jan. 23 against UC Irvine with a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect 7-7 shooting from the field.

Prep -- Was selected by Cal-Hi Sports as the Division 3 California State Player of the Year, as well as Prep2Prep’s Central Coast Section MVP in April 2020 following her senior season with Aptos High School ... averaged 19.1 points (on 64-percent shooting), 10.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.2 blocks per game in 2019-20, leading the Mariners through a 27-5 season which included an unbeaten Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title at 10-0 (marking Aptos’ third-consecutive conference crown) en route to a divisional championship ... the squad then advanced to the semifinals of the overall State Tournament ... compiled 18 double-doubles as a senior, winning the league MVP award ... graduated with career totals of 1,782 points (establishing a school record) and 1,143 rebounds, helping the Mariners go 102-22 combined ... was also a first-team all-league honoree as a junior and sophomore ... in 2018-19, averaged 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 1.9 blocks while leading Aptos to the CCS D3 title along with a trip to the D2 CIF Playoffs ... previously a year earlier as a sophomore, helped Aptos to an unbeaten 12-0 mark in SCCAL play, posting 15.8 points, 8.8 boards & 2.9 blocks per game ... also played AAU for the West Valley Elite ... in addition, was a standout competitor in track & field and volleyball ... won the SCCAL high jump title as a sophomore, clearing 5-foot-2, and played outside hitter and opposite ... meanwhile, also volunteered as a coach at area rec. leagues and camps, and as a teacher’s assistant at a pre-school while serving as homecoming coordinator.

Personal -- Majors in Kinesiology ... chose the Mustangs because “Cal Poly is the perfect fit. The coaching staff and team have a very supportive and loving environment that I cannot wait to be a part of. The location is the best distance to my house and the academics definitely speaks for itself” ... her father was also a Division I basketball player in college at Western Illinois, while her mom also played basketball and volleyball as well ... has career aspirations of becoming a nurse or physical trainer.