Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman is anchoring the team's young roster with her veteran experience during the 2026 WNBA season as the rebuilding franchise navigates a difficult stretch of games.
The Storm targeted the eighth-year guard in free agency with a guaranteed two-year, $1.5 million contract to provide leadership for the league's third-youngest squad, which holds an average age of 24 years and 102 days.
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Hiedeman and 34-year-old Stefanie Dolson have become the designated veteran leaders for a roster currently enduring a seven-game losing streak, leaving the team at 14th in the standings with a 3-11 record.
Generational Banter with Teammates
During a recent media interaction, 19-year-old teammate Awa Fam playfully questioned the veteran guard about her age, prompting a lighthearted response from Hiedeman.
"How old are you?" asked Fam.
"Thirty?" she added.
Hiedeman feigned indignation before clarifying her actual age. "Awa?
I'm still 29. Girl, chill," she said.
Reflecting on the conversation, Hiedeman acknowledged the significant generational gap. "I was looking at it, and I'm like, 'Dang, it is a decade.
That is kind of crazy,'" she said.
She noted that the dynamic shifted once Fam realized Hiedeman had not yet turned 30. "But now she calls me young because she knows now that I'm young.
I'm back to young again. I said, 'Girl, I'm not even 30 yet, you can't call me old,'" Hiedeman added.
Rookie guard Flau'jae Johnson also commented on Hiedeman's extensive experience. "She's been in the league a long time," Johnson said.
