Natasha Howard was re-introduced to the Indiana Fever organization during a press conference Tuesday alongside head coach Stephanie White, owner Kelly Krauskopf, and GM Amber Cox.
Howard was drafted to the Fever in 2014, just over 10 years ago, and played with the team for the first two years of her career. Since then, she has become a WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Star, and a three-time WNBA Champion.
Everyone is happy Natasha Howard is returning to the Fever
Krauskopf showed the utmost gratitude for Howard choosing to return.
"This day, for us, is really about welcoming back a player that we drafted," said Krauskopf. "What she's done for the last nine years in her career has put her in the elite company of many athletes and many players in this league... I want to say thank you to Natasha and her family for coming back to us."
Cox revealed that Howard was always on the Fever's mind when choosing to restructure the roster.
"When I got this job, Kelly and I were on the phone and we had two things on our to-do list: re-sign Kelsey Mitchell and bring back Natasha Howard," said Cox. "We have been focused on this day and this moment since the day we started this process."
Cox went on to list Howard's accomplishments: Defensive Player of the Year, three-time WNBA champ, Most Improved Player of the Year, and many more. She said that Howard was incapable of having a "one-page resume," which is why Howard was so coveted by the front office.
"A lot of kids don't have role models out here, so I'm happy that I have the opportunity, this platform to be a role model."
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 5, 2025
Natasha Howard discusses the importance of inspiring the next generation as a woman in sports.#NGWSD x @cheezit pic.twitter.com/NSaIEK8yPd
Howard, herself, said she cannot wait to get back to work.
"I'm happy to be back where I started," said Howard. "I'm happy to be back next to [White], playing with her and her coaching me."
Howard's former, and now current, head coach, White had nothing but praise for the player that Howard had become.
"[Howard] was a player that was playing behind Tamika Catchings, and every day was gameday," said White, when asked of Howard's superlatives. "She was then, just as she is now, an incredible professional... her ability to elevate her game, her ability to elevate those around her. That resume, she checked every box."
Howard joins what is a very different roster than the one that Indiana had just a year ago. She joins DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson as free agent signings to join the Fever's young core of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Lexie Hull.
Howard is projected to start and add a much-needed defensive improvement to one of the WNBA's best offensive teams.