After much anticipation and whispers that Natasha Cloud’s future with the Washington Mystics may be in flux, the team has officially closed the deal. Cloud signed a multi-year contract for three years, paying her $190K the first year, $185K the second year and $190K the third year.
Cloud, who is Washington’s all-time leader in assists (617), led the Mystics to back-to-back WNBA finals and was instrumental in helping Washington capture the first WNBA title in franchise history.
The 2019 season was Cloud’s best in the WNBA, as she recorded career-bests in minutes per game (32.1), points per game (9.0) and assists per game (5.6). She holds career averages of 6.3 points per game and 4.1 assists per game while recording 8.6 points per game and 4.2 assists per game in the playoffs.
“Signing Natasha to a multi-year contract is an important day for our team,” Head Coach and General Manager Mike Thibault said. “As the point guard, she is the engine that drives us – our pace on offense, the start of our defense, the energy at practice on a daily basis. Her constant quest to improve herself and our team was manifested in our march to a championship.”
Not only has Cloud been a stronghold on the court, for the team and the D.C. community. Particularly, in 2019, she led a media blackout to bring attention to gun violence in Southeast D.C.
She also opted out of the 2020 WNBA season to focus on social justice advocacy and became one of the most vocal athletes in professional sports, leading the Washington Wizards and Mystics players in the Together We Stand march on Juneteenth.
“D.C. has been a second home to me for the last six years,” said Cloud. “Monumental Sports & Entertainment, this city and this community took a chance on a small mid-major kid and never looked back. I have grown up here as a person, as a player and as an activist. D.C., I love y’all. There is no one else I’d rather rock with. I REP THE DISTRICT.”
“Her passion for the game, as well as her passion for community leadership and social justice off the court, has made her an integral part of the Mystics connection with the fans and city of Washington, DC. We can’t wait to get started,” Coach Thibault said.