“Natisha’s return to the Lynx was a high priority for us in free agency as she proved to be an important factor in our 2024 Finals run,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said after the franchise re-signed Natisha Hiedeman for another year. She wasn’t kidding. Hiedeman lit it up in her first year with Minnesota. No wonder the Lynx didn’t hesitate to bring her back.
It’s the beginning of a WNBA second act for her. After spending five solid years with the Connecticut Sun, Hiedeman finally stepped into a new chapter. And she wasted zero time clicking with the Lynx. While she playfully called herself “annoying” last season, her teammates had a much sweeter take—they said she’s “curious,” always trying to learn their styles and how to best mesh on the court. As she gears up for Season 2 in Minnesota, we figured it’s time to dive into who she is off the hardwood too.
Who are Natisha Hiedeman’s parents?
Let’s start with her rock, Shelly Hiedeman. Shelly had Natisha just a month before turning 20, and yes, life wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. “It’s been hard,” Shelly said. “But everything I’ve done, I’ve done for her. I just wanted her dreams to come true.” A young single mom without even a car? That’s grit.
She wasn’t totally alone though. Her high school friend Angie Rusk (née Gevaert) and Angie’s parents, Mike and Ann Gevaert, stepped in like absolute heroes. Fun fact—Angie was a senior at Southwest when she literally drove Shelly to the hospital in the middle of the night to give birth to Natisha. And Natisha sees it all. “I can’t imagine having a kid at 19 or 20,” she said. She expressed her deep love and appreciation for her mother, acknowledging how difficult things had been for her, especially since her father wasn’t around at the time.
She shared that it was essentially her mom handling everything alone for a while, until Ann and Mike stepped in to help. Shelly always saw the spark in her daughter. “She always had a ball with her,” she said. “I just knew she was going to be a basketball player.”
And well, she was right. Five years in, she has established her identity as a reliable, experienced, and the fiery hooper.
Sandy Cohen II, Natisha’s dad wasn’t around much during her childhood, but a lot of her on-court talent comes from dad’s side too. Sandy said basketball was his “outlet” growing up in Kenosha and the genes clearly traveled. He used to make regular trips to Milwaukee during Natisha’s college days, balancing visits to her and to watch his son play.
“It means a lot to me because having him around makes me really, really happy, so I hope it stays like that,” Hiedeman said back in her college senior year. But where was he during her childhood? Well, turns out, her dad was in and out of jail for numerous things. “I love my dad to death, and I’ll always love him, but he made a lot of mistakes when I was growing up,” Natisha said.
Sandy owns up to it. “I haven’t always been there for her,” he said. “But it’s been a blessing to see her do all this. I’m just happy that she gave me a second chance.” Now he is trying to get her every ‘little thing’ she needs.
Through it all, despite the ups and downs, family’s been everything to Natisha. When Green Bay Southwest High School honored her with a jersey retirement on April 10, 2025, her mom, dad, Angie, the Gevaerts were there. The whole crew showed up to celebrate her big moment. It was more than just a ceremony, it was a full-circle moment for everyone who helped raise her.
Does Natisha Hiedeman have a brother? Is he also a basketball player?
Yes, Natisha has a half-brother named Sandy Cohen III and hoop dreams run in the family. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Linda King and Sandy Cohen Jr., Cohen III like his sister, also started off at Marquette, then transferred and graduated from Green Bay.
Later, Cohen went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, but he wasn’t done. He suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League, worked out with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, and then made a bold move overseas.
On August 12, 2019, he signed a four-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League. Thanks to his dad’s Jewish roots, Cohen was granted Israeli citizenship in May 2020. Later, on July 14, 2021, he was loaned to Beni Herzliya, and by July 8, 2022, he’d signed a contract extension with them. Right now, Sandy Cohen III is balling for Bnei Herzliya Basket, doing his thing internationally while his sister’s back home, prepping for another WNBA season.
Oct 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) celebrates during the second half of game five of the 2024 WNBA playoffs against the Connecticut Sun at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Oh, and if you’re keeping tabs, Natisha just played in the Unrivaled offseason league for Phantom Club before locking back in with Minnesota. Playing for Minnesota is kind of a full-circle storyline here. Hiedeman was originally drafted 18th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Her rights were immediately traded to the Connecticut Sun for Lexie Brown—but look at that—she’s back where it all began.
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