Natisha Hiedeman’s Rising Fame
Natisha Hiedeman has seen her profile grow this season, especially as she’s one half of the popular Stud Butts Twitch streaming duo that has really caught people’s attention.
It’s interesting, though—her performance off the court has been just as remarkable as her achievements on the court this year. Who would have thought she’d land a trendy cover alongside her best friend, Courtney Williams, in 2025?
Hiedeman averaged 8.8 points and 2.8 assists across 43 games with the Lynx this season. She boasted a shooting percentage of 48.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range. Her strong play really stood out, placing her above Williams, who is an all-star in her own right.
Earlier this month, she reached new heights, scoring at least 20 points in three consecutive games, including a career-best 24 points against the Golden State Valkyrie.
Hiedeman played a key role in the Minnesota Lynx’s success. Whenever Williams faced difficulties, she stepped up as the point guard, showcasing her credibility as a reliable player. This has undoubtedly contributed to the team’s strong performance this year.
Other WNBA Players for Sixth Player of the Year Consideration
Along with Hiedeman, I’ve been considering a few other players seriously.
- New York Liberty Guard Kennedy Burke
- Atlanta Dream Forward Naz Hillmon
- Phoenix Mercury Forward Dewanna Bonner
It’s worth noting that the eligibility for this award requires players to have come off the bench for more games than they started. If Jewel Lloyd had been benched earlier, she would’ve absolutely been my pick. She has the highest points-per-game average among those coming off the bench but has started too many games this season to qualify.
As for Phoenix Mercury’s Sami Whitcom, she came off the bench in 22 games, which technically makes her eligible. Still, I feel like she was more of a 50/50 player in terms of starting and benching.
I also liked what rookie Dominique Malonga did for the Seattle Storm, but her role was more limited early on, which puts her behind those who had a consistent impact throughout the season.
Now, let’s explore other contenders for the sixth player title.
Kennedy Burke put up an average of 8.5 points and 2.3 rebounds off the bench, with an impressive shooting percentage of 47.9% from the field and 33% from three-point range, resulting in a true shooting rate of 60.4%. She had a net rating of +4.2 in 26 of the 35 games she played, while the Liberty’s overall rating was +5.2.
Naz Hillmon recorded an average of 8 points and 4.9 rebounds off the bench, shooting 49.4% from the field. Her contributions led the Dream to a 16-11 record when she was the sixth player. Her strong performance eventually earned her a starting role.
Dewanna Bonner was a top scorer among bench players, averaging 10.2 points with a 55.1% true shooting rate over at least 20 games. However, her net rating was actually negative this season, which is interesting because the Mercury performed better without her input.
Why I Chose Natisha Hiedeman
What stood out for me was Hiedeman’s impressive efficiency. Her 58.4% true shooting rate marks the best performance of her career. But, you know, it wasn’t a definitive factor—Hillmon and Burke had close efficiency numbers too.
Another crucial aspect for me in making these awards decisions is the element of team success. For instance, I went with Veronica Burton for Most Improved Player because of her impact on the Golden State Valkyries, who outperformed the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Lynx ended up with the best record in the league, largely due to their depth. While Courtney Williams has had a stellar season, Hiedeman’s contributions provided a great backup plan for the point guard position during tough times.
Take, for example, last month’s game on August 22. When Williams struggled and was benched, Hiedeman stepped up to score 17 points. Just two nights later, she played only 13 minutes when Williams found her rhythm again.
This perfectly illustrates Hiedeman’s effectiveness as a sixth player—she not only fulfills critical roles as needed but also embraces her role when the situation changes.
In summary, my top picks ultimately came down to Hiedeman and Hillmon, both of whom impressed me. Interestingly, their player impact estimates were the same—11.7, showing their overall contributions to their teams were comparable. It was a tight race.
I fluctuated between my choices quite a bit, but in the end, Hiedeman’s role on a successful Lynx team tipped the scales in her favor.
