Natasha Cloud is a talented WNBA guard who has been making headlines lately for her recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast, where she talked about the voice of women’s sports, the future of the WNBA, and some heartfelt family stories.
Natasha was born to Sharon Cloud and her biological father on February 22, 1992, in Broomall, Pennsylvania.
During a challenging period in Sharon’s marriage, she had an affair with a Black man, resulting in Natasha’s birth.
However, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Emil Cloud, who worked hard to support the family.
He often held two jobs and treated Natasha like his own child, showing her love and care.
Natasha grew up with four siblings: three sisters named Kim, Krystal, and Tiffany, and a brother named Eric.
They were all white, which made Natasha feel like she didn’t fully fit in as either black or white.
This feeling of being in between racial identities was challenging for her.
When Natasha turned 18, her parents revealed the truth about her biological father. But this didn’t change how she felt about Emil; he was still her dad.
She has often expressed appreciation for his guidance and love, stating,
“I had everything I needed. A father who loves me, who guided me through life—so there was no reason to go look for someone who didn’t want me.”
Via Washingtonian
In the podcast, Natasha described herself as a “grey-area kid,” raised between two racial identities without feeling entirely accepted by either.
These experiences shaped her perspective on race and fueled her passion for activism.
Basketball Became A Special Place For Natasha During Her Formative Years
Basketball helped Natasha feel like she belonged and made her proud of who she was.
She was good enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Maryland, where she played as a freshman during the 2010-2011 season.
There, she played well and even led her team in assists and blocks a few times.
She participated in 31 of 32 games, leading the team in assists twice and blocks three times while being recognized as a Scholar Athlete.
After one year at Maryland, she transferred to Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to further develop her skills.
At Saint Joseph’s, she did great, too, breaking records and earning awards. Natasha excelled both academically and athletically.
She earned accolades such as Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and broke records for assists while serving as team co-captain.
In the 2015 WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics selected Natasha in the second round (15th overall).
Over nine years with the Mystics, she established herself as a reliable point guard and an outspoken advocate for social justice.
In 2019, she won her first WNBA championship with the team.
Natasha also took her talents overseas, playing for Beşiktaş in Istanbul during the 2015-2016 season and representing Jordan at the 2021 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman.
Her international basketball performances further highlighted her versatility and skill.
In recent years, Natasha has continued to evolve professionally.
After signing with the Phoenix Mercury in 2024, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun in early 2025 as part of a multi-team deal.
Cloud Is Known For Her Activism On Racial Justice, LGBTQ+ Rights, Gender Equality, And Gun Violence Reform
She has used her platform to address systemic inequities and inspire change.
Natasha married professional softball player Aleshia Ocasio in 2019 after coming out as bisexual.
Their open relationship inspired many. However, a few years later, they decided to separate.
Natasha’s parents taught her valuable lessons about love and acceptance.
Emil showed her that family isn’t just about blood; it’s about who cares for you. Meanwhile, Sharon was brave enough to tell Natasha the truth about her past, which helped her understand herself better.
Today, Natasha is proud of who she is and where she comes from.
She uses her experiences to help others and make the world fairer. Her story is one of strength, love, and the power of family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Cloud led Cardinal O’Hara to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA state finals as a junior and to the second round as a senior.
- She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 alongside fellow WNBA players A’ja Wilson and Chiney Ogwumike in 2020.
- Cloud joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor in 2024.
