Natasha Howard carried a heavy load for the Indiana Fever throughout their punishing 2025 campaign, stepping into a leadership role as injuries derailed the roster.
Even now, in the quiet of the offseason, she remains deeply tied to the sport, this time through a gesture that reached an unexpected group of young athletes.
The three time champion recently visited a Mississippi high school basketball program, where she surprised the players with Kobe V Protro Caitlin Clark edition sneakers, which retail for 190 dollars.
A locker room video captured the team excitedly putting on the new shoes before their game, and after it appeared on social media, Howard shared the clip with a simple message of pride: an emoji saluting and a blue heart.
Designed in the Indiana Fever color palette, the sneakers feature Midnight Navy, Bright Crimson, flashes of University Gold, and a high gloss finish that brings the look together, according to Nike’s description.
While she continues giving back to different corners of the basketball community, Howard also faces a period of transition. She enters free agency without a clear direction on whether she will return to the Fever, join a new franchise, or even continue her WNBA career.
“Free agency, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m not trying to think about that right now. I’m going to dissect everything from this season. … When that time comes, you guys will know,” she said as the season wrapped up.
Caitlin Clark trades her playmaking for the golf green
While Howard weighs her next move, Caitlin Clark has stayed active in her own way by competing in The Annika Pro-Am. She played alongside Nelly Korda, Lauren Nguyen, Dan Towriss, and Jordan Jackson, with the group finishing tied for 36th at eleven under.
Adding some fun to the day, Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull served as guest caddies.
Fresh off her injury-affected WNBA season, Clark showed the same determination fans know well, practicing beforehand at Michael Jordan‘s The Grove XXIII, reacting sharply to a mis-hit drive, and sinking a long putt from about 35 feet.
Supporters enjoyed her competitive return, but many are already counting down to her 2026 WNBA comeback, where they hope to see her long range shooting and highlight plays once again.
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