Natisha Hiedeman kept it completely real about her early journey in the WNBA.
By 2026, Natisha Hiedeman is running the point for the Seattle Storm. Stepping into a starting guard spot, she put together the best year of her career, putting up 14.7 points, 5.0 assists, and over a steal a game across a full 40-game season.
The WNBA’s rise by 2026 feels completely surreal compared to just a few years ago. Between media rights deals, packed arenas, and new expansion teams, the league blew past every old ceiling.
This 2026 CBA made that growth real for players, bringing higher salaries, full charter flights, and legitimate revenue sharing that finally matches the sport’s demand a bit more.
Natasha Hiedeman opens up on WNBA struggles
Natisha Hiedeman didn’t sugarcoat her past, opening up about getting cut in 2020, running out of money, and waking up before dawn for 4 AM grocery store shifts just to get by. Looking back from where both she and the WNBA are today, she admits the transformation feels almost unreal.
She said: “I was sitting in the car, and you know how it is when you’re just sitting there thinking. I started reflecting back on 2019 and 2020. I got drafted, made it to the WNBA, but played only about half a season before getting cut. I went overseas for a short stint, and then C**** hit and caught everyone off guard. I had no money left, I was actually completely broke.
“I had to find work, and options were extremely limited, but grocery stores were among the few places still open. I got a job at one thinking, ‘I have to make money somehow.’ I was clocking in for shifts from 4:00 AM to noon, just thinking, ‘Man, this is crazy.’ Looking back at 2019 and 2020, if you had asked me back then if I thought the WNBA or my own career would be where they are today? Heck no. The growth is insane. God is real, and nobody can convince me otherwise.”
The shift in the WNBA is crazy when you look at the numbers. Even Caitlin Clark came into the league making just $76,000 on her base rookie deal, even while pulling in millions from major sponsors.
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