Natasha Howard

Last updated
Natasha Howard
Natasha Howard (basketball) 00 CBK Mersin TKBSL 20250104 (7).jpg
Howard with Çukurova Basketbol in 2025
No. 6Indiana Fever
Position Power forward
League WNBA
Personal information
Born (1991-09-02) September 2, 1991 (age 33)
Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight172 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High school Waite (Toledo, Ohio)
College Florida State (2010–2014)
WNBA draft 2014: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Drafted by Indiana Fever
Playing career2014–present
Career history
20142015 Indiana Fever
2014–2015 Elitzur Ramla
2015–2016 Yakin Dogu
20162017 Minnesota Lynx
2016–2017Samsung Life Blue Minx
20182020 Seattle Storm
2018–2019 Xinjiang Magic Deer
2020–2021 Reyer Venezia
20212022 New York Liberty
2021–2022 Dynamo Kursk
2022–2024 Fenerbahce
20232024 Dallas Wings
2024–2025 Çukurova Basketbol
2025–present Indiana Fever
Career highlights
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Natasha Howard (born September 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). [1] Howard was the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. [2] She was drafted in 2014 by the Fever. [3] [4] Born in Toledo, Ohio, she played college basketball for Florida State University, where she finished sixth in the NCAA for field goal percentage. [5]

Contents

Professional career

WNBA

Howard in 2016 Howard 20161011.jpg
Howard in 2016
Howard in 2019 Natasha Howard (foreground) and Alysha Clark (cropped).jpg
Howard in 2019

Howard was selected 5th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2014 WNBA draft. [6] Howard started off the 2014 season hot scoring 16 points and 21 points in her first two games as a professional. The 21 point performance was a career high in points. Howard averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in her rookie season in Indiana. [7]

During her second season with Indiana, Howard regressed in both points and rebounding, averaging 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds. The only times that Howard scored in double figures were an August 4 loss to the Chicago Sky, when she scored 13 points, and on a September 1 win against the Connecticut Sun, when she scored 10 points. During her second season, the Fever reached the WNBA Finals, where they faced off against the Minnesota Lynx. The Fever ultimately lost the series 3–2, but Howard didn't miss a single shot throughout the entire Finals, going 8 for 8 from the floor in five games and 3 for 3 free throws. [8]

On February 2, 2016, the Fever traded Howard to the Minnesota Lynx in a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Devereaux Peters. [9]

During her first season with the Lynx, Howard was part of the post rotation that included Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson, and Janel McCarville. She became a key contributor off the bench for the Lynx the entire season. In her first game against Indiana since the trade, Howard scored 11 points, on 5–5 shooting, and grabbed 3 rebounds. She matched her career high of 21 points in a July 2 win against the San Antonio Stars. Howard, once again, reached the WNBA Finals for a 2nd consecutive season, although the Lynx fell to the Los Angeles Sparks 3 games to 2.

In her second season with the Lynx, Howard continued with her bench role, contributing with her scoring and rebounding, helping the Lynx back to championship contention. The Lynx returned to the Finals, making it Howard's third appearance in the finals. This time, in a finals rematch against the Sparks, the Lynx won 3 games to 2, earning Howard her first championship.

On February 7, 2018, Howard was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for a second round pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. [10] In the 2018 season, Howard would be the starting power forward for the Storm. She would have the best season of her career in Seattle as she averaged career-highs in scoring, blocks, rebounds, assists and steals. Howard would also be named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team and was second in the league in blocks. The Storm finished with a league-best 26–8 record. They would receive a double-bye to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals series, the Storm would defeat the Phoenix Mercury in five games advancing to the Finals, making this Howard's fourth consecutive finals appearance. In the Finals, the Storm would defeat the Washington Mystics in a three-game sweep. In Game 3, Howard scored a new career-high 29 points along with 14 rebounds. [11]

In 2019, Howard would have a breakout season. She would be voted into the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her first all-star appearance. On July 17, 2019, Howard scored a new career-high 33 points in a 90–79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. [12] Howard would finish the season average a new career-high in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals. She was made a WNBA All-Star and named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team for the second time while also winning the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Storm finished as the number 6 seed with an 18–16 record. The Storm, however, could not defend their title in the playoffs as they were eliminated in the second-round elimination game by the Los Angeles Sparks.

In 2020, the season was delayed and shortened to 22 games in a bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Howard played all 22 games, the Storm had a fully active roster with everyone healthy and available as they finished the season 18–4 with the number 2 seed, receiving a double-bye to the semi-finals. In the playoff semi-finals they defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a three-game sweep, going back to the Finals for the second time in three years. In the Finals, the Storm swept the Las Vegas Aces to win the series, earning Howard her third WNBA championship.

In 2021, Howard was acquired by the New York Liberty in a three-team trade deal. [13]

In January 2023, Howard was traded to the Dallas Wings in a three-team deal. [14]

Howard signed a one-year $214,666 contract with the Indiana Fever as a free agent on February 2, 2025. [15] [16] [17] Bringing Howard back to Indiana was one of the priorities for the Fever's front office, which had been completely restructured after the 2024 season. [18]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold Career best°League leader
Denotes seasons in which Howard won a WNBA championship

Regular season

Stats current through end of 2024 season

WNBA regular season statistics [19]
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2014 Indiana 341517.0.443.000.5943.10.60.80.61.57.0
2015 Indiana 30211.4.379.000.7212.60.40.40.40.94.2
2016 Minnesota 34114.6.574.200.6773.60.80.70.71.16.7
2017 Minnesota 34011.7.484.214.7332.40.70.50.60.74.3
2018 Seattle 343325.6.547.327.7986.41.01.21.91.813.2
2019 Seattle 343431.3.439.308.8108.22.12.21.72.918.1
2020 Seattle 222221.0.530.350.7787.11.01.70.62.19.5
2021 New York 131327.5.494.333.7747.21.71.30.53.816.2
2022 New York 353529.9.482.326.7157.32.31.31.03.215.1
2023 Dallas 393933.1.458.299.8158.02.61.31.22.816.5
2024 Dallas 272630.6.456.200.7186.72.91.30.83.117.6
Career11 years, 5 teams33622023.0.476.297.7505.61.51.11.02.111.5
All-Star2119.0.529.5004.01.00.50.01.011.0

Playoffs

WNBA playoff statistics
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2014 Indiana 403.7.167.0001.0001.00.00.00.00.51.0
2015 Indiana 907.1.917.0001.0000.60.30.30.10.52.8
2016 Minnesota 8013.0.700.000.4292.60.60.80.10.75.6
2017 Minnesota 705.6.200.000.8000.90.00.20.00.51.1
2018 Seattle 8831.5.573.500.8508.31.51.01.32.215.8
2019 Seattle 2228.8.400.429.7509.04.02.01.52.011.0
2020 Seattle 6623.0.548.500.7725.21.51.20.81.59.5
2021 New York 1131.0.438.500.00010.02.01.01.03.016.0
2022 New York 3327.7.442.1001.0006.71.00.70.02.014.7
2023 Dallas 5534.2.634.350.8338.42.21.61.43.412.0
Career10 years, 5 teams532518.0.500.371.7944.21.00.80.51.47.7

College

NCAA statistics [20]
YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGTOPPG
2010–11 Florida State 323225.5.460.368.5496.60.81.10.73.110.6
2011–12 313130.2.487.190.6159.11.41.51.33.112.2
2012–13 333126.8.486.000.6127.50.71.81.52.412.7
2013–14 333331.2.594.6509.30.52.12.32.720.5
Career12912728.4.516.313.6178.10.91.61.42.814.0

Personal life

Howard is married to Jac’Eil Duckworth Howard, and their wedding was shown as part of the 11th season of Basketball Wives. [21] [22]

References

  1. "Natasha Howard". Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  2. "Seattle's Natasha Howard Named 2019 WNBA Defensive Player Of The Year" (Press release). WNBA. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  3. "NBA.com" . Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  4. Schoffel, Ira (2014-04-14). "Being WNBA's 5th pick is 'dream come true' for FSU star Howard". Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee.com. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  5. Woodsdavid, David (2014-04-15). "Fever choose Natasha Howard, Natalie Achonwa in draft". The Indianapolis Star. Indystar.com. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  6. "Fever choose Natasha Howard, Natalie Achonwa in draft". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  7. "Lynx Acquire Forward Natasha Howard from Indiana". Minnesota Lynx. Minneapolis/St. Paul: NBA Media Ventures, LLC. February 2, 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  8. "Natasha Howard Game Log". Basketball Reference. Philadalphia, Pennsylvania: Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  9. "Fever, Lynx Trade Natasha Howard, Devereaux Peters – WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA". WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  10. "Storm Acquire Natasha Howard in Trade With Lynx". WNBA.com. February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  11. The Perfect Storm: Seattle Returns To Glory With Collective Effort
  12. Natasha Howard scores career-high 33, Storm close strong in win at Minnesota
  13. Liberty Trade Top Scorer but Add the All-Star Natasha Howard Kia Nurse, the team's leading scorer last season, is headed to Phoenix. The Liberty also sent the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft to Seattle as part of the deal for Howard.
  14. "Dallas Wings Acquire Natasha Howard and Crystal Dangerfield". wings.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  15. "Transactions". WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. February 2, 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025. Natasha Howard signed a Contract with the Indiana Fever.
  16. "Natasha Howard". The Spotrac Newsletter. Retrieved 4 February 2025. Natasha Howard signed a 1 year, $214,666 contract with the Indiana Fever, including $214,666 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $214,666. In 2025, Howard will earn a base salary of $214,666, while carrying a cap hit of $214,666 and a dead cap value of $214,666.
  17. Springer, Michael (February 3, 2025). "3-time WNBA champ Natasha Howard returns to Indiana Fever after nearly a decade". WISH-TV. Indianapolis: Circle City Broadcasting. Retrieved 4 February 2025. The Indiana Fever announced Monday they have signed free agent forward Natasha Howard, who previously played with the Fever in 2014 and 2015.
  18. Peterson, Chloe (19 February 2025). "Natasha Howard learned the ropes from one Fever legend. She hopes to help mold the next". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana: Gannett. Retrieved 19 February 2025. 'I think it was Day 1 when I got this job, Kelly and I were on the phone, and we had two things on our to-do list: re-sign Kelsey Mitchell and bring back Natasha Howard,' (Gever GM Amber)Cox said.
  19. "Natasha Howard WNBA Stats". Basketball Reference.
  20. "NCAA® Career Statistics". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  21. Basketball Wives | vh1 . Retrieved 2024-10-15 via www.vh1.com.
  22. Pande, Ritvan (2024-08-20). "Who is Natasha Howard's Wife? Everything You Need to Know About Dallas Wings Star's Personal Life". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-10-15.