Natasha Cloud: From Hometown Courts to Champion and Advocate
Natasha Cloud, a prominent playmaking guard currently with the Phoenix Mercury, has carved a remarkable path through basketball, marked by athletic prowess, academic dedication, and a deep commitment to social justice. Her journey, from the courts of Cardinal O'Hara High School to the professional ranks of the WNBA, showcases not only her skills as a player but also her character as a leader and advocate.
Early Life and High School Career
Originally from Springfield, Pennsylvania, Cloud's basketball journey began at Cardinal O'Hara High School. During her time there, she led her team to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA state finals as a junior and to the second round as a senior. Her exceptional performance earned her First Team All-Delco honors in both her junior and senior years. Cloud's talent was further recognized when she was named AAAA First Team All-State as a senior, solidifying her reputation as a rising star.
Collegiate Career: Maryland and Saint Joseph's
Following her successful high school career, Cloud received a scholarship to play at the University of Maryland as a Terrapin. Describing her decision to attend Maryland, Cloud emphasized the university being the "total package" for her due to its beautiful campus, great educational program, proximity to home, and the close-knit family atmosphere she felt there. She also mentioned that she was impressed that Coach Frese and her staff cared about her as a person, before a player.
However, she later transferred to Saint Joseph's University. Due to NCAA transfer rules, Cloud sat out the 2011-2012 season. During her time with the Hawks, Cloud quickly established herself as a key player. In the 2013-2014 season, she served as co-captain of her team and earned Atlantic 10 (A10) Defensive Player of the Year honors. She was also named to the A10 All-Conference Second Team and was included on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List, recognizing her as one of the top point guards in the nation.
That season, Cloud averaged 11.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. Her exceptional passing ability saw her rank second nationally in assists per game, setting the SJU single-season record for assists with 243. She also led the A10 in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio. During the 2014 NCAA tournament, she contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots, and two steals in a first-round win over Georgia.
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In the 2014-2015 season, Cloud continued to excel, serving as co-captain for the second consecutive year. She was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team and was an All-Defensive Team selection. Additionally, she was a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award and a Naismith Trophy Watch List nominee.
Professional Career: WNBA and Beyond
Cloud's success in college paved the way for a professional career in the WNBA. Since joining the league in 2015, she has consistently ranked among the top ten in assists per game. She was an integral part of the Washington Mystics' 2019 WNBA Championship run. Known for her strong defensive play, Cloud has been recognized as a two-time WNBA Defensive Team honoree.
Beyond the WNBA, Cloud has also played professionally in Turkey, joining Besiktas JK Istanbul during the 2015-2016 season. She has also participated in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball from 2022 to 2024 and Unrivaled. On February 2, 2025, Cloud was traded to the Connecticut Sun. However, her time with the Sun was short-lived, as she was later traded to the New York Liberty. In 2024 she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury.
International Play
Cloud has also represented Jordan in international competitions. She expressed immense pride in representing Jordan, emphasizing what it meant to her.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Natasha Cloud has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:
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- First Team All-Delco honors (High School)
- AAAA First Team All-State (High School)
- Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year
- Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team
- Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team
- WNBA Champion (2019)
- Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award (2019)
- Forbes 30 Under 30 List
Activism and Social Justice Advocacy
Cloud is known for her social activism and service to her community. In 2019, she was awarded the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her involvement in youth programs. She has been a vocal advocate for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s equality. In 2020, Cloud opted out of the WNBA season to focus on social justice issues, raising awareness about police brutality and systemic racism, and organizing a march in Washington D.C. In June, Converse signed her as the first female basketball player since re-entering the basketball market and paid her salary during her activism leave. She has also been using her voice to talk about the CBA negotiations with the WNBA and how the players are fighting to get the pay they deserve, expressing her frustration with the WNBA's negotiation.
Cloud's commitment to social justice extends beyond advocacy. She uses her platform to speak out on important issues and inspire others to take action. She has been recognized for her efforts, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Cloud participated in WNBA's girls in sports mentorship program.
Personal Life
Cloud is engaged to Aleshia Ocasio, a former University of Florida softball player and current member of the Chicago Bandits of the National Professional Fastpitch softball league player. Their relationship has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and The Athletic, highlighting their love story that goes beyond sports.
Cloud openly identifies as biracial, describing herself as a "gray-area kid" who never felt like she fit into a group at school. As a woman engaged to another woman, she has also spoken about her complex relationship with religion.
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