Veteran forward steps up to support rising star, offering guidance and relief in a season of high expectations

Caitlin Clark has a 'big sister' to protect her on the team, and it's not Sophie Cunningham

Natasha Howard, a seasoned 11year WNBA veteran and threetime champion, has quickly become one of Caitlin Clark‘s most important allies on the Indiana Fever.

In a recent episode of Sue Bird’s podcast Bird’s Eye View, Howard opened up about her initial impressions of the newly crowned rookie phenom and the special role she sees for herself as Clark‘s mentor.

Clark, the 22-year-old sensation who broke rookie records with the Fever in 2024, carries significant pressure to deliver both on and off the court.

Enter Howard: a two-time All Star and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year.

Her arrival in February was part of Indiana‘s strategic effort to shift into “win-now” mode alongside veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Kelsey Mitchell under new coach Stephanie White.

A mentor for the modern era of women’s basketball

On Bird’s Eye View, Bird asked Howard about her very first reaction to playing alongside Clark after facing off against when she was still a member of the Dallas Wings. Howard‘s response was immediate and heartfelt:

“My first impression of her when I first seen I’m like, ‘Dang, like this is what everybody’s talking about,'” she recalled.

As Howard learned more about Clark off the court, her tone softened:

“She remind me of a little sister … ‘Cause she’s only 22 years old. She reminds me of a little sister that like I can put under my wing and just guide her and just be that vet for her.”

She continued:

“And just let her know, ‘You’re not alone with this, I got your back no matter what, ’cause we know you got a lot of stuff on your shoulders right now. Like, let me take some of that off your shoulder for you, don’t got to do everything on your own.'”

Those remarks highlight more than player-to-player respect, they reflect a bond rooted in shared priorities.

The Fever‘s management made it clear in the offseason that winning a championship in 2025 was not just aspirational but expected.

Howard hasn’t shied away from turning her leadership into impact: she recently dropped a season-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a win over Atlanta back in May, stepping up on a night when Clark was held to just 11 points.

Clark‘s presence has already worked wonders for the Fever‘s popularity.

Thanks to “the Caitlin Clark effect”, the team store saw skyrocketing merchandise sales, and Forbes has valued Indianapolis as the WNBA’s second-most valuable franchise, worth an estimated $370 million.

As Howard succinctly put it during the podcast: they’re still building chemistry, “learning each other… scratching the surface,” but the potential is clearly there.

And with the league’s second-best odds heading into the season, all eyes are on Indiana to see if Clark and Howard can deliver the ultimate prize, an elusive WNBA championship.