Natisha Hiedeman’s parents have been the backbone of her journey, guiding her from a young girl with a dream to a WNBA player respected and admired around the world.
The WNBA guard has become a household name among basketball fans, celebrated for her elite shooting, defensive grit, and exceptional basketball IQ.
Whether orchestrating comebacks with the Minnesota Lynx or etching her name into the record books with the Connecticut Sun, Hiedeman’s achievements are deeply rooted in the values and support she received growing up.
Behind the accolades and highlight moments lies a powerful story of a close-knit family whose unwavering belief and sacrifices laid the foundation for her rise from local courts in Wisconsin to the brightest stage in professional women’s basketball.
Natisha Hiedeman Biography
She was born on February 10, 1997, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Natisha Hiedeman’s path to success as an American professional athletics began with resilience.
Shortly after her birth, she faced a physical challenge, which she was required her to wear a full-body harness to correct a hyperextension in her left leg.
However, this early obstacle didn’t slow her down. Growing up in Green Bay, Hiedeman was a natural athlete who gravitated toward competitive sports from a young age.
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At Green Bay Southwest High School, she emerged as a multi-sport phenomenon. While she is now famous for her basketball prowess, she was also a standout track and field athlete.
She qualified nine times for the WIAA state championships and holds school records in the triple jump, high jump, long jump, and 100-meter hurdles.
On the basketball court, she earned the nickname “T-Spoon,” a nod to WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon, because of her playmaking style and abilities.
By the time she graduated, she was the leading scorer in the Green Bay Metro area, amassing 1,773 career points. Her impact on the school was so profound that her No. 5 jersey was officially retired in April 2025.
Meanwhile, during these early beginnings, Natasha Hiedeman’s parents were making all the moves necessary to make sure every opportunity was made available for her to excel.
Basketball Career
The influence of family is a recurring theme in Hiedeman’s career. Her journey to the WNBA was nurtured by a family environment that valued sports and competition.
Growing up in a household where basketball was more than just a game, Natisha developed the toughness she is often praised for today.
Her family support followed her to Marquette University, where she played from 2015 to 2019. Natisha Hiedeman’s parents were credited for helping her climb the ladder.
During her time as a Golden Eagle, Hiedeman cemented her legacy as one of the best players in the program’s history.
She finished as the school’s third all-time leading scorer with 1,913 points and became the first Marquette player to reach 300 career three-pointers.
Natisha’s family was a constant presence throughout her collegiate transition and her subsequent jump to the professional ranks.
In 2019, she was drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Lynx as the highest draft pick in Marquette history since Dwyane Wade.
Although she spent her first five seasons with the Connecticut Sun, her career came full circle when she returned to the Lynx in 2024.
She has continued to credit her family’s grounding influence for her ability to navigate the highs and lows of the league.
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Minnesota | 40 | 15.2 | .380 | .280 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 4.9 |
| 2023 | Connecticut | 40 | 26.7 | .392 | .366 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 8.5 |
| 2022 | Connecticut | 36 | 25.0 | .431 | .411 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 9.1 |
| 2021 | Connecticut | 32 | 20.1 | .400 | .398 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 7.6 |
| Career | WNBA | 211 | 20.0 | .403 | .367 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 7.0 |
Meet Natisha Siblings
Athleticism runs deep in the Hiedeman family tree. Natisha is one of four siblings in a competitive household.
The most notable of her siblings is her brother, Sandy Cohen III. Sandy was a standout basketball player in Green Bay before moving to Marquette University.
After his collegiate career, he transitioned to professional basketball, playing internationally for teams like Hapoel Afula B.C. in Israel.
Natisha has often spoken about staying in close contact with Sandy, mainly while he competed abroad during times of regional conflict.
She has another brother named Silas Cohen. Natisha occasionally shares lighthearted moments on social media platforms like TikTok.
She usually shares glimpses, giving fans a view into their fun-loving sibling dynamic. At the same time, the other siblings are mostly keeping themselves private for now.
Having siblings who understand the pressures of elite athletics has provided Natisha with a unique support system that few professional athletes enjoy.
Meet Natisha Hiedeman’s Parents
Natisha Hiedeman’s parents, Shelly Hiedeman and Sandy Cohen Jr., made immense sacrifices from the very beginning to support her journey.
Shelly Hiedeman became a mother at just 19 and has been a pillar of strength throughout Natisha’s life. From navigating her daughter’s early medical needs including wearing a leg harness, to cheering from the sidelines at Green Bay Southwest High School, Shelly remained a constant and unwavering presence.
Natisha has often spoken about the challenges of her upbringing, crediting her mother’s resilience as the foundation of her own toughness and determination on the court.
Her father, Sandy Cohen Jr., also played a vital role in her development. Through him, Natisha and her siblings share a diverse and meaningful heritage. The family is of Jewish descent and has ties to the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, a rich cultural background that has helped shape Natisha’s identity both as a person and as an athlete.
The combination of her parents’ steadfast support and the competitive environment created by her siblings formed the ideal foundation for a future WNBA star.
Today, Natisha Hiedeman continues to reach new heights, earning accolades such as the 2025 Most Improved Player award and the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup title.
She remains deeply grateful to her family, acknowledging the sacrifices and decisions they made to ensure she had the opportunities needed to grow.
Proud of all she has accomplished, Natisha Hiedeman’s parents continue to celebrate and support her remarkable career.
