Natasha Howard and the Indiana Fever were one of the more surprising stories of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. After finishing the regular season 24–20, the Fever earned the No. 6 seed and upset the third-seeded Atlanta Dream in the first round. They then pushed the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces to five games, all without several key players, including Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham.
Howard had a solid season in her return to the Fever, the team with which she began her WNBA career. Starting all 44 regular-season games, the former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year averaged 11.4 points on a career-high 55.2% shooting, along with 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
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Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) in action during the game against the Dallas Wings.© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Before she became a star in the WNBA, Howard was a standout for the Florida State Seminoles. From 2010 through 2014, she appeared in 129 games and averaged 14.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks, earning first-team All-ACC honors twice. But her senior season was her best, averaging 20.5 points on 59.4% shooting, 9.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.3 blocks.
On Sunday, Florida State hosted the Indiana Hoosiers in its fifth game of the 2025–26 women’s college basketball season. Before tipoff, the Seminoles retired Howard’s No. 33 jersey, welcoming the Fever forward and her family for the ceremony.
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“33 forever in the rafters ❤️🔥,” the Indiana Fever wrote on X. “congratulations to Natasha Howard on having her jersey retired at @fsuwbb!”
WNBA fans were quick to congratulate Howard as well, leaving their thoughts on social media.
“Congrats Tash! Earned!!!!” one fan said.
“Congratulations Tasha! 👏🏾,” added another.
“Congrats flash ⚡️,” wrote a third.
“Congrats !!! Natasha Howard 👏,” commented a fourth on Instagram.
“Love and big hug! Congratulations!” added a fifth (IG).
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After signing a one-year, $214,466 deal with Indiana before the 2025 season, Howard now sees her contract expire, making her an unrestricted free agent as she awaits her next WNBA destination. An Indiana return remains possible, given that the Fever only have three players under contract in 2026.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Makes Career Move After One Season with Indiana Fever
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
