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Atlanta Dream sign Natisha Hiedeman as EuroBasket replacement

By Bria Felicien

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 25: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Natisha Hiedeman (5) shoots a layup during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers on January 25th, 2019 at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)(Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 25: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Natisha Hiedeman (5) shoots a layup during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers on January 25th, 2019 at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)(Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alex Bentley’s understudy has arrived

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream signed guard Natisha Hiedeman as a temporary replacement for point guard Alex Bentley, the team announced Wednesday.

The Dream suspended Bentley for EuroBasket after Saturday’s loss in Dallas, but couldn’t sign anyone until Bentley missed one game, which happened during Wednesday’s Atlanta’s 88-78 win over Indiana.

Hiedeman will travel with the team to Connecticut, for the Dream’s Friday-night matchup with the Sun, and the Dream will return to having 11 players available. Bentley is expected to return anytime between July 2 and 7.

The Lynx drafted Hiedeman out of Marquette at No. 18 in this year’s WNBA draft, but was traded to the Sun, who eventually waived her. Hiedeman was the 2019 Big East Player of the Year, and averaged 17.6 points per game in her senior season, which is I’m sure, why she was considered.

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Before Wednesday’s win, the Dream struggled to score from every position on the floor. Atlanta rank last in the league in made field goal percentage with 37.5 percent.

Hiedeman was brought in to score and she also could have been on Collen’s radar ahead of the draft, similarly to the way Marie Gülich was in 2018.

Head coach Nicki Collen previously told High Post Hoops as much before the June 9 home game vs. Connecticut.

“You either bring somebody back you feel that already knows your system,” Collen said. “Or you take it as an opportunity to get a look at somebody new. And maybe they’re not the right fit, but maybe you’ve been looking at them for a while and it gives you an opportunity to get a look at them for a couple of weeks.”

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