PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury today announced the signing of free agent guard and WNBA Champion Natasha Cloud.
“Natasha is an elite playmaker, one of the best defenders in the league and is coming off a career year as a scorer,” said Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren. “The tenacity and energy Natasha plays with, on both ends of the court, will help make our team more dynamic, versatile and competitive.”
Last season with the Washington Mystics, Cloud averaged a career-high 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds to go with 6.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting a career-high 90.0% from the free throw line. Cloud, a two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection (2019, 2022), played eight seasons with the Mystics (2015-19, 2021-23), leading them to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances (2018, 2019) and their first title in franchise history in 2019.
“I’m hyped to be coming to the Valley, and be part of building back the Mercury’s dynasty,” said Cloud. “D.C. has been my home for nine years and leaving the fans and city isn’t easy, but I’m excited to be part of an organization that values the person and player that I am. I can’t wait to get to Phoenix and get to work with my teammates.”
Originally selected by Washington with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, Cloud has played in 248 career regular season contests (204 starts), averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. Cloud is Washington’s all-time leader in assists (1,259) and her career assists average ranks seventh all-time in WNBA history and third among active players, behind only Courtney Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu. Cloud led the league in assists in 2022 (7.0 per game) and has been in the top five in assists her last four seasons.
Cloud, the winner of the WNBA’s Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award in 2019, opted out of the 2020 WNBA season to focus on social justice advocacy.
The Phoenix Mercury will open the 2024 WNBA season on the road against the Las Vegas Aces on May 14, followed by the Fry’s Food Stores Home Opener vs. the Atlanta Dream on May 18. Tickets for the home opener are available at phoenixmercury.com/single-game-tickets.