Free-agent F Natasha Howard announces return to Fever

Three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard is returning to the Indiana Fever, the team that selected her with the fifth overall pick of the 2014 WNBA Draft.

On Friday, she posted a throwback photo of draft night on her Instagram account with the caption, "Back to where all my dreams came true."

The 6-foot-2 Howard played her first two WNBA seasons under Stephanie White, who also has returned to the franchise as head coach. Howard later played for the Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty and Dallas Wings.

The two-time All-Star, who also won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, won her WNBA titles with the Lynx (2017) and Storm (2018, 2020).

The 33-year-old Howard will bring a veteran presence to a team that features Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, taken by the Fever with the No. 1 overall pick in successive seasons.

Howard, a forward, averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 27 contests (26 starts) last season. Those numbers were higher across the board than her career averages of 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

The Fever will be counting on Howard to help them improve on their 20-20 regular-season record, which was followed by a first-round playoff exit.

WNBA free agents can sign contracts beginning Saturday.

--Field Level Media