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Natasha Howard Credit: Courtesy of X<\/p>\nNatasha Howard Credit: Courtesy of X<\/p>\n
The first women\u2019s basketball game Natasha Howard ever attended in person planted a seed she didn\u2019t even know was there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never pictured myself being in the W,\u201d recalled the 13-year veteran forward. \u201cI was in high school, I think, and I went to see the Detroit Shock. I was like, wow, these girls are really hooping. It kind of opened my eyes. It kind of changed my perspective when it comes to being in the league. I never really pictured it until I went to a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over a decade and three WNBA championships later, the 6-foot-2 forward has returned to where she earned her first ring, Minnesota in 2017, signing as a free agent in mid-April. At 34, Howard is the Lynx\u2019s oldest player.<\/p>\n
She and forward Nia Coffey, who also signed as a free agent the same day, flew largely under the radar as offseason additions. But the two veterans have been key contributors as starters, averaging a combined 26.5 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game. Howard is averaging 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds; Coffey is averaging 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gonna always stay together,\u201d Howard said after a recent practice. \u201cThat\u2019s one thing I love about this team, we\u2019re going to compete through adversity. We\u2019re gonna always fight, and we\u2019re gonna compete to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Howard played her college ball at Florida State, where she finished sixth all-time in the NCAA in field goal percentage. Indiana selected her fifth overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft. She tied the league record for most blocks in a debut with six in her rookie season and appeared in the Finals that year, playing in all 34 games and starting 15.<\/p>\n
Her second season followed a similar path, with another Finals appearance. In her third year, a sign-and-trade brought her to Minnesota, where she joined a formidable frontcourt rotation alongside Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson and Janel McCarville that helped propel the Lynx to the 2015 championship.<\/p>\n
Howard was later part of another sign-and-trade, this time to Seattle before the 2018 season. There she earned two more WNBA championships, won Most Improved Player and First Team All-Defensive honors in 2018, and took home All-WNBA First Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019. She is also a two-time WNBA All-Star (2019, 2022) and has won several overseas championships, including the WCBA title in China in April.<\/p>\n
Returning to Minnesota is a full-circle moment for Howard, who said she always knew she would come back, even to finish her pro career in a Lynx uniform. She has reunited with Head Coach Cheryl Reeve and former teammates Brunson, McCarville and Lindsay Whalen, now all assistant coaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players I had around me here, they actually helped me in my next step with other teams,\u201d Howard said. \u201cI\u2019m really grateful and thankful that I had those types of players around me: Lindsay, Rebekkah Brunson, Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore. Those players helped me grow as a player but also as a person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad to be back,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
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Olivia Miles Credit: Courtesy of X<\/p>\n
FINALLY\u2026<\/p>\n
Olivia Miles was named WNBA Rookie of the Month last week for games played May 8-31. The first-year point guard leads all rookies in scoring, assists, steals and efficiency.<\/p>\n