Professional basketball player Natasha Cloud known as “Tasha” represents the Phoenix Mercury team in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). A point guard and activist from Broomall Pennsylvania serves as an influential WNBA player and social justice advocate. Her path from high school superstar to WNBA professional represents her unwavering determination and exceptional abilities.
Early Life
Natasha Cloud was born on 22nd February 1992 in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Family members remain important to Cloud throughout her life journey. She spent her childhood years under the care of her biological mother Sharon Cloud and stepfather Emil Cloud. She has four siblings: three sisters (Kim Hopper, Krystal McLeester, and Tiffany Cloud) and one brother (Eric Cloud).
Basketball became Natasha Cloud’s main passion while she attended Cardinal O’Hara High School. As a junior at Cardinal O’Hara High School, she emerged as a top player who guided her team to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AAAA state finals.
During her senior year, she led her team to the second round while earning multiple awards throughout the season. During her junior and senior years, Cloud received First Team All-Delco recognition and earned First Team All-State honors from Pennsylvania AAAA.
Her senior year statistics included 12.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 4.0 steals per game. She succeeded in winning the Michael Menichini Award in 2009 because of her outstanding performance which established her as the state’s best player. Her accomplishments led to her obtaining a basketball scholarship to attend the University of Maryland.
Quick Info |
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|---|---|
| Real Name: | Natasha Cloud |
| Birth Date: | February 22, 1992 |
| Age (as of 2024): | 32 Years |
| Birth Place: | Broomall, Pennsylvania |
| Height: | 1.83 m (6 ft) |
| Wife: | Aleshia Ocasio (ex.) |
College Career
Cloud started her college basketball career at the University of Maryland during the 2010 season. She appeared in 31 out of 32 games during her first college year while starting games six times. She proved her versatility by leading her team in assists on two occasions and blocking three shots.
Coach Brenda Frese praised Cloud for being an unselfish and athletic player who made important contributions on offense and defense. Cloud made the decision to move to Saint Joseph’s University following her freshman year to access improved development opportunities.
Saint Joseph’s University
Natasha missed the 2011-2012 season because of transfer rules before making a significant contribution to her team upon her return. Cloud earned co-captain status for two seasons while receiving the Atlantic 10 (A10) Defensive Player of the Year award and multiple All-Conference distinctions.
The 2013–2014 season at Saint Joseph’s saw Cloud break the school record for single-season assists with 243 while ranking second nationally in assists per game. The 2014 NCAA tournament saw Cloud make essential contributions to her team’s success through her combined offensive and defensive efforts.
Cloud achieved more success during her senior year by earning 12.9 points per game while becoming the Atlantic 10 leader for assists and playing the most minutes. Her college achievements established her position as a top national point guard.
Professional Career
The Washington Mystics selected Natasha Cloud with the 15th overall pick during the second round of the 2015 WNBA draft. She demonstrated immediate value to the team by winning her first WNBA championship in 2019 alongside a second-team All-Defensive selection in that same year.
Natasha Cloud made significant contributions to basketball that went beyond her abilities on the court. The WNBA season of 2020 marked a turning point for Cloud as she dedicated her time to social justice advocacy instead of playing professional basketball.
Cloud spent nine seasons with the Washington Mystics before moving to the Phoenix Mercury in 2024. During her first season with the Mercury team, Cloud established a new franchise record by providing 263 assists.
International Career
Nathasha spent the 2015-2016 season competing professionally at Beşiktaş in Istanbul Turkey while she was not playing in the WNBA. Her experience playing internationally enhanced her athletic abilities and adaptability during matches. Cloud joined Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball from 2022 to 2024 and became part of the Player Executive Committee while earning a spot on the All-Defense Team in 2023.
Personal Life
The professional softball player Aleshia Ocasio wed Natasha Cloud in 2019 before their divorce in 2022. The marriage between the couple lasted three years until their eventual divorce. Cloud currently remains single and has not revealed any new romantic connections publicly.
Social Media Presence
Through her Instagram presence, Natasha Cloud interacts with fans by posting professional updates as well as personal snapshots. Her Instagram handle, @t__cloud9, boasts an impressive following of 181k followers. Cloud shares her basketball accomplishments through her social media posts while using her platform to promote social justice and equality and motivate her followers to take action.
Natasha Cloud Net Worth
No official record exists for Natasha Cloud’s net worth but her professional basketball success combined with endorsement contracts and international playing experience has certainly built her financial wealth. Her work in the WNBA alongside her social advocacy initiatives has made her a leading figure in women’s sports.
