Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell received massive praise for the Indiana Fever’s incredible 2025 season, where they overcame adversity and reached the semifinals of the league. One unsung hero from the team was Natasha Howard, who also won the MVP award during the Commissioner’s Cup win, which was the first silverware for the side after 2012.
HC Stephanie White also praised Mitchell and Natasha Howard for leading the Indiana Fever’s playoff push in Caitlin Clark’s absence. And after the season, she is off to another league, looking to have a similar impact and win titles.
Natasha Howard Shares Videos From China
After DeWanna Bonner’s sudden exit from the Fever team, the former Florida State player and Sydney Colson remained the veteran guides for the young side hungry for the championship. Though Colson’s injury limited her availability for the team, Howard remained one consistent performer for the team and even delivered a Commissioner Cup title in her first season with the franchise.
The 34-year-old forward also formed a close bond with the team. Howard even shared a heartfelt message following the Indiana Fever’s semifinal exit. But in the offseason, the star will be playing in China, representing the Sichuan Yuanda in the WCBA. She shared a glimpse of her new avenue on her Instagram story.
Based on her IG Stories, Fever star Natasha Howard is now in China as she prepares for the WCBA season. Howard signed with Sichuan. pic.twitter.com/kYKPEUH9i2
— Kit Espina (@KeithEspino22) November 25, 2025
Located in Sichuan, the top-tier team won the title in 2023 and 2024. This is Howard’s second trip to China, as she played for the Xinjiang Magic Deer in the 2018-19 season. The forward won titles in the European league and Turkish leagues, playing for some top teams during her career, and will now look to win one in Asia.
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Back in the States, the three-time WNBA champion will enter the season as an unrestricted free agent, leaving multiple teams with a chance to add the defensive powerhouse to the roster.
The Indiana Fever’s Dilemma Over Retention Of Natasha Howard
Though the new CBA is not confirmed yet, the new terms include a maximum of five players per team. The Indiana Fever fans, on the other hand, are looking to run the 2026 season with the complete 2025 roster. Players like Kelsey Mitchell and Odyssey Sims are already prime targets for multiple franchises in the upcoming free agency, wherein Howard also fits the bill for a few sides.
Though the Fever front office hasn’t made its intentions clear about the team’s plan to resign the players from the 2025 season, except KM, the case for Howard is different. HC White backs the player based on her impact and performance in the season, but given the opportunity, the front office might opt for a younger forward with a similar skill set to make a long-lasting collaboration.