Setting the women’s basketball scene ablaze with her exceptional performances, Natasha Howard brought an elite defensive dominance and a high IQ to the league. Known as “The Flash,” Howard teams up her physical strengths with athletic frame and swiftness to oust her on-court opponents. After spending a considerable time under the Dallas Wings, the athlete is back with the Indiana Fever with a bang!

Her 11th season in the pros is nothing short of exceptional, as the versatile veteran secured 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds with the Fever so far. But before she heads to the Commissioner’s Cup finals against the Minnesota Lynx, let us understand the factors that shaped Howard into a fantastic player that we know of today.

Where is Natasha Howard from, and what is her nationality?

Natasha Howard was born on September 2, 1991, in the bustling city of Toledo, Ohio. Her hometown is nestled along the banks of the Maumee River, which empties into Lake Erie in the northeast. She grew up in a sports-oriented family to Howard Hicks, a men’s basketball coach at the University of Toledo, and a supportive mother named Latasha Howard.

This family dynamic exposed the forward athlete to the sport at a tender age. Moreover, her uncle Greg Howard encouraged young Natasha to pursue basketball as a career. As a result, she began playing basketball at the Morrison R. Waite High School and earned Ohio Ms. Basketball honors in 2010. Howard used her successful high school experience as a playground for what was about to shape her career in the upcoming years.

It was no surprise when the American national naturally transitioned to Florida State University in 2010. Her impressive defences and scoring prowess made an immediate impact on the team. As a standout player, Howard earned the ACC All-Freshman Team honors and finished her college career with a 6th-place ranking in the NCAA Field Goal Percentage.

These and several other accolades established Howard as a promising star as she stepped into the pros as a 5th overall pick by the Indiana Fever in 2014. She had two remarkable seasons with the Fever, where she wrapped the 2016 regular season with an average of 8 for 8 from the floor in five games and 3 for 3 free throws, without missing a single shot.

Unfortunately, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in February 2016. After spending considerable time in the Lynx, the Seattle Storm, the New York Liberty, and the Dallas Wings, life came full circle for the athlete when she was inducted by the Indiana Fever again. Bringing Howard back was a priority decision for the franchise, and they signed a one-year contract worth a whopping $214,666 with the star.

What is Natasha Howard’s ethnicity?

While the Indiana Fever athlete’s ethnicity points to her African-American descent, there are no publicly verifiable records that confirm or deny her parents’ similar ethnic roots.

Is Natasha Howard Christian? 

Yes, Natasha Howard is a devout Christian. She has openly expressed her faith and belief in the Almighty, as is evident in her social media posts. The forward athlete often alludes to Biblical verses like, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV,” online.

It is the religious belief that has helped the athlete weather storms and given her immense strength. In fact, she dedicates every little win to the supreme force and surrenders to the divine. Her strong faith is not only a part of her identity, but it also dictates her on-court performances and shapes her professionalism.

As the Indiana Fever faces the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup this season, can Natasha Howard, with her strong pick and rolls and versatility, provide the much-needed edge to the roster? That remains to be seen.