Lauren Jackson & Yolanda Griffith Pave The Way For Players Like Me, Says Natasha Cloud
Earlier this week, the finalists for the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Finalist were announced. WNBA legends Lauren Jackson and Yolanda Griffith both made the cut. Both are well accomplished in the WNBA and overseas.
Griffith’s accomplishments include a WNBA Championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005 and finals MVP. She was also named the WNBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, an eight-time All-Star, and an All-Decade team member in the early 2000s.
Jackson is a two-time WNBA Champion (2004, 2010) and a Finals MVP (2010) with the Seattle Storm, and a three-time WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010). Jackson also was a Defensive Player of Year in 2007, a member of the All-Decade team in the early 2000s.
On Wednesday afternoon, Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud was a guest on WBB WEEKLY room on Clubhouse hosted by Khristina Williams. During the Q&A session, I asked Cloud what her memories were of both Griffith and Jackson.
“I watched the W growing up, and I had the privilege to watch it because a lot of players did not have the privilege to watch it. So, whenever they were on TV, my dad would always turn it on, and he would always check when WNBA games were on.
“So, Lauren Jackson and Yolanda, I actually had the opportunity to play coach [Yolanda Griffith]’s Massachusetts team my senior year at St. Joesph. I actually had the opportunity to meet her then, but they were so cold. Lauren Jackson, what she meant to Seattle,” said Cloud.
“She was so legendary and what she could do on the court. Just so fluent and smooth, and Yolanda was just a bully. She just got it done, and I have so much love and respect for the OG’s. Again, you are talking about women, who have paved the way so, I can be where I am today. So, nothing but love for both of them.”
Natasha Cloud just resigned with the Washington Mystics on a three-year extension. The move helps solidify the 2019 WNBA champions on the ball’ s defensive side with two-time WNBA Champion Alysha Clark.
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