Natisha Hiedeman signs qualifying offer

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On Jan. 8 the Connecticut Sun announced that Natisha Hiedeman signed the qualifying offer that was extended by head coach and general manager Curt Miller. 

Despite missing most of the training camp after testing positive for COVID-19 in early July, Hiedeman’s role as a backup point guard was critical for the team while Briann January was still recovering from COVID-19 and when Jasmine Thomas was dealing with plantar fasciitis. 

“Natisha is a fantastic teammate and has been an important spark plug for us. She has established herself as one of the best young back-up point guards in the league and has a bright future heading into her third year,” Miller stated in the press release. 

Hiedeman appeared in all 22 regular-season games and led the team in bench points and assists. She averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.5 minutes per game. Additionally, she scored in double figures five times last season, including once in the postseason. 

During the 2020 playoffs, Hiedeman had a larger role than her rookie season, playing in every game and posting 14 points, including 4-5 from behind the arc, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in Game 1 against Las Vegas.  

It is expected that Hiedeman’s role will continue to grow in 2021 as it did in 2020. While the contract specifics have not been released, she will be an affordable point guard option who will continue to develop and benefit the team. If the offer is for multiple years, this signing may prove incredibly important for the Sun, who have January under contract through 2021, while Jasmine Thomas is not under contract for 2021.

This signing has the potential to bring stability to the point guard position for the Sun for both 2021 and beyond. The move also provides a foundation for the rest of Connecticut’s free agency signings that will happen in the coming weeks.