After spending eight seasons with the Washington Mystics, veteran guard and WNBA champion Natasha Cloud made the move to Phoenix in the offseason. Going up against her former team on Thursday for the first time in her career, Cloud was “locked in”, playing with a chip on her shoulder.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“I don’t even think I was extra today, I think I was locked in,” Cloud said. “You could kind of see it. I had this look in my eye like I was about to run through a wall. [Nate Tibbetts] saw it in me early today, and he was excited. But obviously, this meant a lot to me…I was let go in the offseason, and I found a home here. To give eight years to an organization and then to be fired on an off day — it’s kind of crazy…December 13th was marked off on my calendar, and before I played today’s game, I made sure to look back at that date and feel all of those feelings that I felt in that moment.”
In the moment, it wasn’t easy for Cloud to move on from the team that gave her an opportunity. Cloud has mentioned in the past that she had to do whatever it took to stay on the floor, and credited her competitiveness and tenacity towards her sustained playing career. Cloud was forced to move on from Washington, but feels at home in The Valley. Now, Cloud is filled with gratitude heading into the next chapter of her career.
“What I’ve been feeling a lot [of] today has been gratitude,” said Cloud. “Gratitude for this next chapter of my career, and to truly just be myself. To be accepted for the dog that I am, to be accepted for the passion that I have for the game, and being accepted as the leader that I am…I’m just very thankful to be here, so more than anything, I just feel a lot of gratitude here in The Valley.”
Cloud has a well-renowned reputation as a defender in the WNBA, being selected to the All-Defensive First Team in 2022 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2019. Cloud’s reputation as a defender and leader is known across the league. Now in Phoenix, the former second-round pick sees more room than ever before to be herself.
"We wanted Tash to come here and be exactly who she is. There was no fitting in."
– Diana Taurasi @MountainAmerica | #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/EAvt8tomM2— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 24, 2024
“We wanted [Natasha] to come here and be exactly who she is,” said Diana Taurasi. “There was no fitting in. She came in, she does what she does, and we gave her the keys.”
“Being able to be myself in this organization, being accepted for who I am,” said Cloud. “The fiery player, the dog, the passionate leader. That was welcomed immediately…Coming in, they truly gave me the keys. They allowed me to lead, and it’s a blessing to be here.”
Through four games, Cloud is averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and eight assists. She’s been crucial as a vocal leader, while being a stout point-of-attack defender and initiator within the offense.
By-The-Numbers: Phoenix Mercury the most efficient shooting team in the WNBA
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
