Natasha Howard

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

Professional career

WNBA

Howard was selected 5th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2014 WNBA draft. 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.

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.

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

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. 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.

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. 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.

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

Howard signed a one-year $214,666 contract with the Indiana Fever as a free agent on February 2, 2025. 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.

Howard left the Indiana Fever to return to the Minnesota Lynx in free agency, signing a two-year, $1.4 million contract in April 2026. Her departure was primarily driven by roster fit issues, salary cap constraints, and a full-circle career opportunity. She was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for June 22-28, 2026. She was named a starter for Team Coop at the All-Star game on July 25, 2026. Howard, along with rookie Olivia Miles, has been key for the Minnesota Lynx in the 2026 season while Napheesa Collier was out recovering from injury, enabling them to be the top-ranked team without their star player.

Overseas Before her first WNBA season, Howard played in Israeli League for Elitzur Ramla in the 2014–15 off-season.

On July 29, 2026, she signed a contract with the Turkish giant Galatasaray.

Career statistics

†Denotes seasons in which Howard won a WNBA championship Regular season Stats current through end of 2025 season

Playoffs

College

Personal life Howard married Jac’Eil Duckworth Howard, and their wedding was shown as part of the 11th season of Basketball Wives. They divorced in 2019. Howard's memoir, The Vision Through My Lens: My Life in Basketball and Beyond, will be released on September 15, 2026.