Natasha Cloud, a 6’0 second-year guard drafted 15th overall in 2015, has made seven starts this season, averaging 21.5 mpg. She’s been an impactful player for the Mystics, filling the stat sheet and providing a steady hand at the point.
When @T_Cloud4 runs the break… 🔥 #WatchMeWork#MysticsStarWarshttps://t.co/tupoyuvZof
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) June 12, 2016
In 2015, as a rookie, Cloud started in 22 of the 34 games she played in, averaging 19.3 mpg and 3.6 ppg. In the 2016 season, she has begun to embrace her role as a leader on the team. “I think my second year I’m a little more comfortable. There’s been a growth,” she described. Her seven rebounds against Dallas on May 18th tied her career high. Veteran point guard Ivory Latta predicted “nothing but greatness” for Cloud, admiring the way she has grown out of her shell so soon in her career. Through her first 10 games of 2016, her scoring numbers, 3-point percentage, and free-throw percentage have all increased, while she has continued to be one of the team’s top perimeter defenders.
Watch her and Ivory Latta on Mystics’ Magazine Court Vision.
Prior to playing for the Mystics, Cloud played her college ball for St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania, where she was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team her senior year. During her junior year, she was the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team, Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team, and All-Big 5 First Team. Both her junior and senior year she served as the Hawks co-captain.
How about off the court?
Jokingly, Natasha described herself as “loud, obnoxious, and very loving.” Boasting the secret talent of juggling, she likes to have fun off the court. She also loves movies, ranging from old Disney Channel classics, such as Up, Up, and Away, to Race, the story of Jesse Owens and his journey to the 1936 Olympics. On the small screen, she enjoys One Tree Hill and Netflix original Orange is the New Black.
Hailing from the small town of Broomall, Pennsylvania, Natasha has taken advantage of all her new home in Washington, D.C. has to offer. “We live in an awesome city where everything is a beautiful site. There’s so much history here that you can’t just have one favorite [monument],” Cloud stated. That being said, the Lincoln Memorial holds a special meaning to her. She appreciates the historical significance of this monument, specifically noting Dr. Martin Luther King’s renowned “I Have a Dream” speech.
On an afternoon off, you may find Natasha enjoying Old Town, a quaint waterfront town in Alexandria. She also enjoys Gravelly Point Park. Sitting on the Potomac, this park looks over Reagan National Airport, and features up close views of planes taking off and landing. When she’s not traveling around the city, she will use her free time to catch up on sleep or to find great places to eat. &pizza is one of her favorite spots in the area. With locations all around the city, she loves to stop in for a hot slice of craft pizza.
Favorites:
- Food: Anything her mom cooks
- Color: Black
- Restaurant: Cheesecake Factory
- Movie: Despicable Me
- Video Game: NBA 2K
- Musician: Alessia Cara
- Actress: Melissa McCarthy
#bigkidatheart pic.twitter.com/9VjJqD2V98
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) December 26, 2015
Natasha Cloud will be a guard to watch this season. As she grows in confidence as well as ability, she will be an easy one to cheer for from the Verizon Center stands.
Watch her in action Saturday as the Mystics take on the Dream here at Verizon Center.
Keep up with her on Twitter @T_Cloud4 and on Instagram @T_Cloud4.