Natasha Howard Bio
Natasha Howard (born September 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing 6’3″ and recognized as one of the league’s most versatile forwards, she has built a reputation as a reliable scorer, rebounder, and defender. In 2019, she was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, cementing her status among the league’s elite two-way players.
Over the course of her career, Natasha Howard has won three WNBA championships, two EuroLeague titles, and a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. She has also earned WNBA All-Star, All-WNBA First Team, and Most Improved Player honors. Her journey from a fifth overall pick in 2014 to a championship-winning veteran reflects steady growth and professional resilience.
Early Life and Background
Natasha Howard was born on September 2, 1991, in Toledo, Ohio. She grew up in the same Rust Belt city that shaped her early love for basketball, playing pickup games and developing her physical presence on local courts. Her height and athleticism set her apart from peers at a young age, drawing the attention of high school coaches.
Howard attended Waite High School in Toledo, where she became a standout player. Her high school performance earned her a scholarship to play college basketball, and she was regarded as one of the top forward prospects in her recruiting class. The foundation she built in Toledo continues to inform her tough, physical style of play.
Path to Basketball
After completing high school, Natasha Howard enrolled at Florida State University, where she played for the Seminoles women’s basketball program. At Florida State, she developed into an efficient interior scorer and finished sixth in the NCAA in field goal percentage during her college career. Her college production demonstrated a reliable mid-range touch and the rebounding instincts that have defined her professional game.
Following her senior season, Howard declared for the 2014 WNBA Draft. The Indiana Fever selected her fifth overall, validating her status as one of the top forward prospects in her class. Her selection marked the beginning of a long and decorated professional career that has since spanned multiple teams and continents.
Natasha Howard Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Natasha Howard began her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever in 2014. She opened her rookie season by scoring 16 and 21 points in her first two games, with the latter marking an early career high. She averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during her debut season, earning a regular rotation spot.
During her second season in Indiana, her scoring and rebounding dipped, but she still contributed in key moments. The Fever reached the 2015 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, and Howard delivered a perfect shooting performance throughout the series, going 8-for-8 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Although the Fever lost the series 3–2, her performance foreshadowed her future postseason impact.
Minnesota Lynx Breakthrough (2016–2017)
On February 2, 2016, Natasha Howard was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in a sign-and-trade deal. She transitioned into a bench role alongside Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson, and Janel McCarville, providing scoring punch and energy. She matched her career high of 21 points in a July 2 win over the San Antonio Stars and helped the Lynx reach the 2016 WNBA Finals, where they fell to the Los Angeles Sparks in five games.
In 2017, Howard returned to the Finals with the Lynx and earned her first WNBA championship. The Lynx defeated the Sparks 3–2 in a rematch, giving Howard a ring in her second season in Minnesota. Her reliable postseason play helped establish her as a winning contributor on a championship roster.
Seattle Storm Era (2018–2020)
On February 7, 2018, Natasha Howard was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for a 2018 second-round draft pick. She became the Storm’s starting power forward and produced the best season of her career, posting career highs across points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team and finished second in the league in blocks as Seattle posted a league-best 26–8 record.
The Storm swept the Washington Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Finals, with Howard scoring a then-career-high 29 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in Game 3. In 2019, she was voted to her first WNBA All-Star Game, set a new career high of 33 points against the Minnesota Lynx, and was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, All-WNBA First Team, and WNBA All-Defensive First Team. In the shortened 2020 season played in a bubble at IMG Academy, the Storm swept the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals, earning Howard her third WNBA championship in three seasons.
New York Liberty and Dallas Wings (2021–2024)
In 2021, Natasha Howard was acquired by the New York Liberty in a three-team trade. She continued to produce as a versatile forward before being traded to the Dallas Wings in January 2023 as part of another three-team deal. Throughout these stops, she balanced her WNBA schedule with overseas commitments, expanding her game against international competition.
Driving Style and Strengths
Natasha Howard is best known for her physical interior play, shot-blocking ability, and rebounding tenacity. Her 6’3″ frame allows her to defend multiple positions, and she pairs that length with a polished mid-range jumper. Teammates and coaches have consistently praised her work ethic, conditioning, and willingness to embrace any role a team needs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Howard’s 2018 Finals Game 3 performance, her 33-point career high in 2019, and her perfect 8-for-8 shooting in the 2015 Finals stand out as defining postseason moments. Winning championships with the Lynx in 2017 and the Storm in 2018 and 2020 places her among the more decorated postseason players of her era.
Natasha Howard Career Wins
Natasha Howard has compiled a deep and varied list of team and individual achievements across the WNBA and international competition. Her success spans multiple franchises and three countries, reflecting both her longevity and her consistent winning impact.
WNBA Highlights
Howard has captured three WNBA championships, winning with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. She was named WNBA Most Improved Player in 2018, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, and WNBA All-Star in 2019 and 2022. In 2025, she added a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship to her resume with the Indiana Fever.
International and Other Wins
Overseas, Natasha Howard won back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2023 and 2024, and also lifted the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women in 2023. She has played professionally in Israel, Turkey, South Korea, China, Italy, and Russia, establishing herself as one of the WNBA’s most well-traveled veterans.
Natasha Howard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Natasha Howard’s immediate family and upbringing remain limited. She has credited her Toledo roots and her early community for instilling the discipline that has carried her through a long professional career.
Personal Life
Natasha Howard is married to Jac’Eil Duckworth Howard. The couple’s wedding was featured as part of the 11th season of the television series Basketball Wives. She is known to keep much of her personal and family life private outside of those public moments.
2025 Season Performance
Natasha Howard signed a one-year, $214,666 contract with the Indiana Fever as a free agent on February 2, 2025, returning to the franchise that originally drafted her in 2014. Bringing her back was a stated priority for a Fever front office that had been completely restructured after the 2024 season. Her veteran presence was viewed as a stabilizing force for a young Indiana roster.
During the 2025 campaign, Howard continued to contribute as a versatile forward, providing scoring, rebounding, and defensive leadership. She helped the Fever capture the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, adding another team trophy to her collection. Her steady production reinforced her value as a championship-tested veteran in the Indiana locker room.
Looking ahead, Howard remains a key rotation piece for the Fever as they build toward sustained playoff contention. Her combination of experience, two-way play, and locker-room leadership positions her as a central figure in Indiana’s longer-term plans. The 2025 season has reinforced her reputation as a reliable contributor at every stage of her career.