
via Imago
credit: Imagn

via Imago
credit: Imagn
What happens when a decade-long veteran reminds the league she’s still got more in the tank? You get Natasha Cloud, fresh off her All-Star Skills Challenge win and playing like she’s just getting started. “We’ve never had anyone quite like her [Cloud] before. We have someone who can get downhill and finish, but also create,” is how New York Liberty head coach, Sandy Brondello, describes Natasha Cloud. Upholding the 2019 WNBA champion fame, Cloud has lived up to her name. While the athlete has proven why she’s one of the best two-way guards in the league, and exactly a decade in, this All-Star looks equally unstoppable.
After all, Cloud won the 2025 Kia Skills Challenge on Friday. The phenom finished the first round in just 34.1 seconds. But while the second round was tougher for the Liberty star, she zoomed past the obstacles and gained a 1.1-second edge. What’s next? Natasha Cloud defeated Erica Wheeler with a whopping 36.4 seconds under her belt. So, it was no surprise when the hardwood echoed Cloud’s name as she was crowned the champion.
But if the widespread praise and appreciation from teammates, fans, and family weren’t enough, Nike also joined the bandwagon. The sports company has come forward to publicly congratulate the veteran. As the official sponsor of the W, Nike took to X (former Twitter) and shared a poster of the guard holding the transparent trophy with a caption that read, “Natasha Cloud rises to the top as the WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion.”
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However, this admission comes 14 hours after Cloud celebrated her All-Star win. Having said that, the Skills Challenge was no easy feat. It is a highly energetic contest that features a series of tasks generic to the sport, but replete with a full-blown obstacle course. No wonder Nike could not help but extend its praise for the athlete.
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Natasha Cloud rises to the top as the
WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion. pic.twitter.com/BArEMzI08N— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) July 19, 2025
The contest tested players’ prowess in bounce and chest passes, corner and elbow shots, with shots at the top of the key, and through a driving layup. But here’s the catch. The athlete with the fastest record would take the win and the hefty sum. So, not only did Cloud compete in both rounds under the fastest time, she even won lucrative prize money as part of the ordeal. Sports reporter Colin Salao gave a breakdown of the prize money.
“Natasha Cloud just won the 2025 WNBA Skills Challenge,” Salao said. “She will take home a total of $57,575: – $2,575 coming from the WNBA, per the CBA – $55,000 coming from Aflac, a WNBPA partner.” While the W has a strict prize money cap, it was the insurance company that leveraged a whopping $55k for the athlete. Moreover, the amount is enough to change someone’s life for the better.
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Natasha Cloud's win: A testament to skill or the power of love and support from Isabelle?
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Natasha Cloud dedicates the victory to her partner
“It’s been a blessing for our careers to collide in New York, for us to both be feeling comfortable and safe in the New York organization that’s just top-tier through and through,” Natasha Cloud told ESPN broadcaster Holly Rowe. The athlete was grateful for her team, the New York Liberty, after winning the trophy and the challenge.
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While Natasha won the challenge through an impressive and gritty showdown in Friday’s All-Star Skills Challenge, she knew exactly how she would like to blow the prize pot. “But this is for our family,” Natasha chimed as the crowd cheered on. The guard reminisced on how her teammate and partner, Isabelle Harrison, had motivated Cloud by igniting the need to win. “[Harrison] over here told me I better win today for a down payment on a house. So, baby, you’re going to get that house!” she declared.

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Jun 1, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) reacts during the second half against the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Cloud dedicated her victory to her partner and teammate, Issabelle Harrison. In fact, the couple could be seen sharing a cute, intimate moment right after she was announced the champion. And the two are officially couple goals. Right after the Skills Challenge came to a close, Cloud was faced with another challenge named, “How well does Tasha know your WNBA girlfriend?”And this rapid-fire round was tougher than any physical challenge. Why? Because her love life was on the line.
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She was asked bout Harrison’s position (“she’s a forward”), on her football-famous family background: father’s team and siblings, appearances in overseas leagues, and even guessed the exact year Harrison won SEC Tournament MVP. While Natasha breezed through the quiz with flying colors, she wrapped the round with, “It’s Isabelle Harrison. Girl, I love you. Don’t kill me for this interview.”
Their relationship became public until recently, when Harrison joined the Liberty in March 2025. And the couple has been enjoying the public eye since then. But with this life-changing amount in their belt now, it will be exciting to watch as Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison take their relationship to the next level.
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Natasha Cloud's win: A testament to skill or the power of love and support from Isabelle?