No one saw it coming, not like this. Just months after lifting the Indiana Fever to their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup championship, Natasha Howard is once again making history — this time, off the court. On Friday, Florida State University made it official: the school will retire Howard’s iconic No. 33 jersey, cementing her legacy among the Seminole greats forever.
For the 6-foot-3 forward, it’s a full-circle moment — a story of resilience, dominance, and quiet leadership that has defined every stage of her journey. In 2025, Howard anchored an Indiana team battling through injuries, including the loss of superstar Caitlin Clark. She started all 44 regular-season games, often carrying the team’s interior defense and offensive balance on her shoulders.
Her crowning moment came under the brightest lights: the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final. Against the Minnesota Lynx, Howard delivered a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, adding four assists and two steals in a commanding 74–59 victory. The performance earned her the Commissioner’s Cup MVP — and gave the Fever the first in-season tournament win in franchise history.
But for Howard, who once dominated the paint at Florida State from 2010 to 2014, this latest honor hits deeper. She wasn’t just another standout athlete — she was the standard. A three-time All-ACC forward, two-time All-Defense selection, and 2014 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, she left Tallahassee with 1,811 points and 1,047 rebounds — one of the most complete résumés in program history.
“Natasha Howard is one of the greatest to ever wear Garnet and Gold,” said Florida State head coach Brooke Wyckoff in Friday’s announcement. “She gave everything she had to this program, and she’s continued to make us proud every step of the way. Seeing her succeed as a WNBA champion and All-Star only reinforces what we always knew: she’s one of the best to ever do it.”
The jersey retirement ceremony is set for November 16, right after Florida State’s game against Indiana — a poetic matchup that brings her past and present together in one arena. Howard will become only the fifth player in Seminoles history to receive the honor, joining an elite circle of women who redefined the program’s identity.
Moments after the news broke, Howard took to social media — not with a long statement, but a simple, heartfelt post: “Grateful. Humbled. Forever a Nole.” The reactions came fast. Teammates, fans, and coaches flooded her feed with congratulations, emojis, and tears.
With WNBA free agency looming in 2026, Howard’s next move remains a mystery. But one thing is certain — her legacy is no longer just about championships or stats. It’s about impact, endurance, and evolution.
And if this week is any indication, Natasha Howard’s story is far from over.
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