It was tough for Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud to not be re-signed by the Washington Mystics in the offseason before becoming a free agent with all that she gave to the city, but the memories and nostalgia she had in her return to D.C. made her grateful for the eight years spent in the U.S. capital.
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Minus the 2020 season in which she opted out to put her full attention toward social reform, Cloud played for the Mystics from 2015-23 after being chosen in the second round of the 2015 WNBA Draft. Along with Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne, Cloud helped Washington win the 2019 WNBA championship, the first title in franchise history.
The Saint Joseph’s product is proud of her journey to this point of her career in Phoenix and while she is embracing new experiences, she will always remember where it all started.
In Phoenix’s first and only trip to Washington this season, she got to witness what it was like to play for the opposition and relieve what she had done in the past, a day that she will never forget.
“Eight years here in a place that means the world to me, I will always call D.C. home,” Cloud said. “Even coming in two days ago and just driving to practice, you feel the nostalgia. I saw where I used to take my dogs, and where we lived, this is still considered home to me. I will also feel love just being on the streets and seeing Mystics fans from the past and getting love here. Coming into this fanbase again that has supported me in all the ebbs and flows of my younger years, this place will always be home to me. This community, this fanbase will always be family.”
“This community, this fanbase will always be family.”
Former Mystics guard Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) was proud of her 8 years in Washington D.C., embracing new chapter with the Phoenix Mercury.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BallOnOurTerms pic.twitter.com/Oyoq1mzEbj
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 16, 2024
During a 96-87 Mercury win over the Mystics on Tuesday, Cloud was just one rebound shy of her first WNBA triple-double as she had 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. She has had a triple-double before but it was in Athletes Unlimited, a fairly new professional women’s basketball league.
Taking full advantage of opportunity in Phoenix
Making the switch to the Mercury has been seamless thus far as her willingness to help others around her, being a vocal leader and her determination to win is infectious.
With the vibes always high around the team when Cloud is around, Mercury star Diana Taurasi is glad she is a teammate of hers and credits her for all of the intangibles she has brought so far to the franchise.
“She is a force to be reckoned with,” Taurasi said. “On the court, off the court, as a teammate, as a friend. She always puts other people before herself, and it has just been a pleasure to be around her as a teammate. She gives so much to our team, it’s unbelievable. I knew that when I played against her but being in the same locker room with her is just really been a treat.”
"She always puts other people before herself."
Being Phoenix Mercury teammates with Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4), Diana Taurasi (@DianaTaurasi) credited her for what she has done for the team and what she has been like being around.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BallOnOurTerms pic.twitter.com/vFauXSdl76
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 16, 2024
Instantly becoming a starter from when she first arrived in the Valley, Cloud has taken the role and ran with it, starting in 24 games and missing just one, averaging 12.4 points, 7.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. She is just behind Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark (7.8) and Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas (7.7) in most assists per game in the WNBA.
When looking at what she did with the Mystics and the potential of replicating or exceding those same feats in Phoenix, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts hasn’t stopped being impressed with Cloud and wants her to continue to elevate her game even more.
“Tash will say it, she is an emotional person, a spirited person and that’s what makes her special,” Tibbetts said. “D.C. has meant a lot to her in her career and she has grown up over the years, probably not something she was looking forward to leaving. “We’ve welcomed her with open arms, I hope she feels like Phoenix is a place for her to stay for years to come.
“We love who she is, we allow her to be who she is. Just that competitive spirit and drive pushes us in times when we are kinda looking around to try to find it. I know it was emotional for her with the tribute and people cheering for her and she should be proud of that. She had a hell of a run here and I hope she has just as good of a run in Phoenix for us.”
"I hope she feels like Phoenix is a place for her to stay for years to come."
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts reflecting on Natasha Cloud's (@T_Cloud4) return to Washington playing her former team in the Mystics & impact in the Valley.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #BallOnOurTerms pic.twitter.com/bq6uqQKcWF
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) July 16, 2024
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
