Latest news with #NatishaHiedeman
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the Stud Budz? Understanding the sensation of WNBA All-Star Weekend
The tunnel beneath Gainbridge Fieldhouse was eerily quiet as the WNBA's biggest stars lined up to strut their pre-All-Star-Game looks Saturday night. Red carpets and tunnel walks are usually cacophonous, but at this game, the media were oddly hushed. Then Courtney Williams walked in. The WNBA's unofficial and unparalleled hype train had arrived. 'We need some music back here, some energy!' Williams exclaimed to the small crowd. Then, turning to the line of All-Stars as the night's soon-to-be MVP Napheesa Collier started her tunnel walk, 'Yes, Phee! Period! You look good!' The crowd laughed. The stars laughed. Everyone loosened up. Williams, a guard on the Minnesota Lynx, is one half of the now-viral streaming duo known as the 'Stud Budz.' The other half is Williams' teammate Natisha Hiedeman. Their Twitch stream was the thing everyone at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was talking about. 'I was streaming (Stud Budz) all last night,' Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark told Williams on Saturday. 'I had it on my TV downstairs. I was commenting.' All across the events in Indianapolis, the gregarious duo with matching pink close-cropped hair transformed every space they entered. Their recipe of behind-the-scenes access, buddy-comedy vibes and true-to-themselves authenticity became an instant viral hit. Here's what to know about the WNBA's newest media sensation. What is 'Stud Budz?' The 'Stud Budz' are two people: Williams (or 'Court') and Hiedeman (or 'T'). The basketball stars have a combined 17 years in the WNBA, with Williams drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2016 and Hiedeman by the Lynx in 2019. But they recently added another accolade to their resumes as viral streamers. In June 2025, just a few weeks before the All-Star break, Williams and Hiedeman launched a Twitch channel that they dubbed 'StudBudz,' and it amassed more than 10,000 followers in their first two weeks. It's now up to 70.8K and climbing. Here's the proposition: Ever want to just hang out with your favorite professional ball players? Now you can. Williams and Hiedeman film their everyday lives — travel, practice, hotel stays or hair-dyeing escapades. They react to WNBA games. They interview competitors and teammates. And they just hang out. What did the Stud Budz do at All-Star Weekend? With their livestream cameras in hand, Williams and Hiedeman provided fans with a unique behind-the-scenes look at All-Star festivities, broadcasting everything over the three-day event, from locker room moments to early-morning hotel room wake-ups to the 'orange carpet' runway. 'I was glued to my phone watching the stream all weekend, and I was in Indy,' WNBA fan and Cleveland native Sam Kavander told The Athletic. 'We got to see the players as people, not just athletes. I really do believe Stud Budz brought a majority of the hype to All-Star weekend, especially from a fan perspective. It just really brought the players and the fans together.' The Athletic's Ben Pickman broke down some of their most viral moments in his list of 'winners' from the weekend: 'Stud Budz' capturing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert dancing to Crime Mob's 'Knuck If You Buck' at a party on Friday night. Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike walking into Williams' hotel room Saturday morning to alert her to an upcoming WNBPA meeting. Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston taking a drink away from Clark at a party while Clark was on screen, and Williams providing an almost-instant reaction to Thursday's CBA meeting. 'Stud Budz has been the highlight of everybody's weekend,' Collier said. Why do fans love it? Connection and authenticity For many, the Stud Budz create a vibrant-pink visual representation of the WNBA's distinctive connection between fans and stars, and the league's earned role in championing every type of female athlete, no matter their identity, expression, orientation or body type. For a few years now, WNBA stars have been setting the standard across sports in terms of access and authenticity around their interaction with fans. Both Williams and Hiedeman are out, LGBTQ+ players who embrace their identities, something that was more difficult for LGBTQ+ players to do even a few years ago. 'I think my favorite thing about Stud Budz is just their authenticity,' Kavander said. 'They're so unapologetically them. Not only are they entertaining, they do it all with kindness. Getting to see different players on different teams hang out, who you normally wouldn't expect (to see together), was awesome.' As The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant wrote: 'Whatever format the duo pursues, they have already proven that every type of player in the WNBA is marketable, no matter their sexuality or if they present more feminine or masculine.' What's next for the Stud Budz? Fans are speculating already, hoping the Stud Budz get involved in other major events like the ESPYs or the Met Gala. 'I want Stud Budz to stream from everywhere. The Grammys. The ESPYs. Essence Fest. A Cowboy Carter concert. The Senate Floor. An Ecumenical service. The Gracie's Corner Tour. My kid's storytime. EVERYWHERE,' writer and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham posted to Threads. Because of their rising profile since this weekend, branding opportunities and broadcast offers are likely next for the duo. For now, Williams said at the Lynx's first practice after the weekend, she and Hiedeman 'drank some electrolytes, some water, got a little rest, (and) we're back.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. WNBA, Sports Business, Culture 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Who are the Stud Budz? Understanding the sensation of WNBA All-Star Weekend
The tunnel beneath Gainbridge Fieldhouse was eerily quiet as the WNBA's biggest stars lined up to strut their pre-All-Star-Game looks Saturday night. Red carpets and tunnel walks are usually cacophonous, but at this game, the media were oddly hushed. Then Courtney Williams walked in. The WNBA's unofficial and unparalleled hype train had arrived. Advertisement 'We need some music back here, some energy!' Williams exclaimed to the small crowd. Then, turning to the line of All-Stars as the night's soon-to-be MVP Napheesa Collier started her tunnel walk, 'Yes, Phee! Period! You look good!' The crowd laughed. The stars laughed. Everyone loosened up. Williams, a guard on the Minnesota Lynx, is one half of the now-viral streaming duo known as the 'Stud Budz.' The other half is Williams' teammate Natisha Hiedeman. Their Twitch stream was the thing everyone at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was talking about. 'I was streaming (Stud Budz) all last night,' Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark told Williams on Saturday. 'I had it on my TV downstairs. I was commenting.' All across the events in Indianapolis, the gregarious duo with matching pink close-cropped hair transformed every space they entered. Their recipe of behind-the-scenes access, buddy-comedy vibes and true-to-themselves authenticity became an instant viral hit. Here's what to know about the WNBA's newest media sensation. The 'Stud Budz' are two people: Williams (or 'Court') and Hiedeman (or 'T'). The basketball stars have a combined 17 years in the WNBA, with Williams drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2016 and Hiedeman by the Lynx in 2019. But they recently added another accolade to their resumes as viral streamers. In June 2025, just a few weeks before the All-Star break, Williams and Hiedeman launched a Twitch channel that they dubbed 'StudBudz,' and it amassed more than 10,000 followers in their first two weeks. It's now up to 70.8K and climbing. Here's the proposition: Ever want to just hang out with your favorite professional ball players? Now you can. Williams and Hiedeman film their everyday lives — travel, practice, hotel stays or hair-dyeing escapades. They react to WNBA games. They interview competitors and teammates. And they just hang out. Advertisement With their livestream cameras in hand, Williams and Hiedeman provided fans with a unique behind-the-scenes look at All-Star festivities, broadcasting everything over the three-day event, from locker room moments to early-morning hotel room wake-ups to the 'orange carpet' runway. 'I was glued to my phone watching the stream all weekend, and I was in Indy,' WNBA fan and Cleveland native Sam Kavander told The Athletic. 'We got to see the players as people, not just athletes. I really do believe Stud Budz brought a majority of the hype to All-Star weekend, especially from a fan perspective. It just really brought the players and the fans together.' The Athletic's Ben Pickman broke down some of their most viral moments in his list of 'winners' from the weekend: 'Stud Budz has been the highlight of everybody's weekend,' Collier said. For many, the Stud Budz create a vibrant-pink visual representation of the WNBA's distinctive connection between fans and stars, and the league's earned role in championing every type of female athlete, no matter their identity, expression, orientation or body type. For a few years now, WNBA stars have been setting the standard across sports in terms of access and authenticity around their interaction with fans. Both Williams and Hiedeman are out, LGBTQ+ players who embrace their identities, something that was more difficult for LGBTQ+ players to do even a few years ago. 'I think my favorite thing about Stud Budz is just their authenticity,' Kavander said. 'They're so unapologetically them. Not only are they entertaining, they do it all with kindness. Getting to see different players on different teams hang out, who you normally wouldn't expect (to see together), was awesome.' Courtney Williams on the StudBudz stream showing the positive side of the WNBA 'I think it was dope just for everyone to see we really are a community… We show each other love all the time so I think it was kind of nice for everybody to look in on how we give it out' — Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) July 21, 2025 As The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant wrote: 'Whatever format the duo pursues, they have already proven that every type of player in the WNBA is marketable, no matter their sexuality or if they present more feminine or masculine.' Fans are speculating already, hoping the Stud Budz get involved in other major events like the ESPYs or the Met Gala. Advertisement 'I want Stud Budz to stream from everywhere. The Grammys. The ESPYs. Essence Fest. A Cowboy Carter concert. The Senate Floor. An Ecumenical service. The Gracie's Corner Tour. My kid's storytime. EVERYWHERE,' writer and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham posted to Threads. Because of their rising profile since this weekend, branding opportunities and broadcast offers are likely next for the duo. For now, Williams said at the Lynx's first practice after the weekend, she and Hiedeman 'drank some electrolytes, some water, got a little rest, (and) we're back.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the StudBudz? The basketball duo behind the 72-hour WNBA All-Star livestream
WNBA fans got an unprecedented glimpse into the league's All-Star Weekend thanks to a 72-hour livestream from basketball duo the StudBudz. And if you don't know them by now, you're definitely going to want to change that. Who are the StudBudz? Courtney Williams and Natisha "T" Hiedeman both play for the Minnesota Lynx. Earlier this year, they put their friendship to work in a new way by starting up a Twitch channel called StudBudz, where they've streamed game reactions, casual interviews with other players, or just hanging out. What sets StudBudz apart from any other attempts to cover the WNBA is, of course, that the call is coming from inside the house. Who better to bring fans on a journey into the league than actual WNBA players? It isn't just that Williams and Hiedeman know the game, but they know the players. They've got a perspective that's unrivaled—and the fact that they're damn entertaining has certainly played a role in how quickly their channel was growing even before All-Star Weekend. "I think that me and Courtney just embrace who we are as people, who we are as athletes," Hiedeman previously told Forbes. "And I think that's kind of where the name came from. For sure, we're just two stud buds hanging out." Court Williams Williams' college career saw her playing for the South Florida Bulls all four years. She was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the 2016 WNBA draft, chosen eighth overall. She was quickly traded to the Connecticut Sun the same year, where she played through the 2019 season. After that, she spent time with the Atlanta Dream, went back to the Connecticut Sun, played a year with the Chicago Sky, and finally landed with the Minnesota Lynx in 2024. Natisha "T" Hiedeman Hiedeman joined the WNBA in 2019 after spending her college years playing for the Marquette Golden Eagles in Milwaukee. She was actually initially drafted by the Lynx before getting traded (and waived by) the Sun. After a little more moving around, she ultimately played her first WNBA game with the Sun after all and, like Williams, signed with the Lynx in 2024. StudBudz livestreaming WNBA All-Star Weekend Williams was chosen for the All-Star roster, and Hiedeman opted to tag along to help run a 72-hour livestream of the event. That meant they weren't just covering gameplay, but everything going on over the weekend, from parties to hallway chats to hotel room pranks. For fans interested in the sapphic side of the WNBA, that meant a whole lot of relationship theories got confirmed (or as close to confirmed as we can get), and new theories may even have formed. But a lot of the best moments, and what captivated viewers to the point that StudBudz were all anyone was talking about for most of the weekend, were just players and other WNBA figures being themselves, cutting loose, and having a great time with their pals. The WNBA didn't need humanizing—fans have long been invested in the people behind these games—but it did offer a deeper dive and a more intimate look behind the curtain than we ever could have hoped for. This article originally appeared on Pride: Who are the StudBudz? The basketball duo behind the 72-hour WNBA All-Star livestream RELATED Watch this comic HILARIOUSLY break down exactly why WNBA is undeniably better than the NBA 11 rookie fits that slayed at the 2025 WNBA Draft From elephants to purple aliens, ranking the WNBA mascots by how Sapphic they are
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the StudBudz? The basketball duo behind the 72-hour WNBA All-Star livestream
WNBA fans got an unprecedented glimpse into the league's All-Star Weekend thanks to a 72-hour livestream from basketball duo the StudBudz. And if you don't know them by now, you're definitely going to want to change that. Who are the StudBudz? Courtney Williams and Natisha "T" Hiedeman both play for the Minnesota Lynx. Earlier this year, they put their friendship to work in a new way by starting up a Twitch channel called StudBudz, where they've streamed game reactions, casual interviews with other players, or just hanging out. What sets StudBudz apart from any other attempts to cover the WNBA is, of course, that the call is coming from inside the house. Who better to bring fans on a journey into the league than actual WNBA players? It isn't just that Williams and Hiedeman know the game, but they know the players. They've got a perspective that's unrivaled—and the fact that they're damn entertaining has certainly played a role in how quickly their channel was growing even before All-Star Weekend. "I think that me and Courtney just embrace who we are as people, who we are as athletes," Hiedeman previously told Forbes. "And I think that's kind of where the name came from. For sure, we're just two stud buds hanging out." Court Williams Williams' college career saw her playing for the South Florida Bulls all four years. She was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the 2016 WNBA draft, chosen eighth overall. She was quickly traded to the Connecticut Sun the same year, where she played through the 2019 season. After that, she spent time with the Atlanta Dream, went back to the Connecticut Sun, played a year with the Chicago Sky, and finally landed with the Minnesota Lynx in 2024. Natisha "T" Hiedeman Hiedeman joined the WNBA in 2019 after spending her college years playing for the Marquette Golden Eagles in Milwaukee. She was actually initially drafted by the Lynx before getting traded (and waived by) the Sun. After a little more moving around, she ultimately played her first WNBA game with the Sun after all and, like Williams, signed with the Lynx in 2024. StudBudz livestreaming WNBA All-Star Weekend Williams was chosen for the All-Star roster, and Hiedeman opted to tag along to help run a 72-hour livestream of the event. That meant they weren't just covering gameplay, but everything going on over the weekend, from parties to hallway chats to hotel room pranks. For fans interested in the sapphic side of the WNBA, that meant a whole lot of relationship theories got confirmed (or as close to confirmed as we can get), and new theories may even have formed. But a lot of the best moments, and what captivated viewers to the point that StudBudz were all anyone was talking about for most of the weekend, were just players and other WNBA figures being themselves, cutting loose, and having a great time with their pals. The WNBA didn't need humanizing—fans have long been invested in the people behind these games—but it did offer a deeper dive and a more intimate look behind the curtain than we ever could have hoped for. This article originally appeared on Pride: Who are the StudBudz? The basketball duo behind the 72-hour WNBA All-Star livestream RELATED Watch this comic HILARIOUSLY break down exactly why WNBA is undeniably better than the NBA 11 rookie fits that slayed at the 2025 WNBA Draft From elephants to purple aliens, ranking the WNBA mascots by how Sapphic they are
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Haliburton x StudBudz? How the streamers could impact the Indiana Pacers' style next season
Indiana Pacer Tyrese Haliburton might be taking style cues from WNBA All-Star weekend streaming sensation StudBudz come the 2025-26 NBA season. On their StudBudz channel on Twitch, Minnesota Lynx teammates Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman live streamed their weekend in Indianapolis, chronicling exploits at clubs and parties, and with interviews with and appearances by Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Haliburton, who is rehabbing his torn Achilles suffered during the June 22 Game 7 of the NBA Finals, could be seen on a scooter during an encounter with the duo at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and admiring the Budz' duds. He told the pink-haired besties he'll have the time to get the brand plenty of exposure. 'You know I'm (going to) be on the bench all season, so I need some merch,' he told them. 'I'll rock some merch.' They told him the clothing would be on the way. Williams and Hiedeman might want to send extra. John Haliburton was with his son during the Gainbridge meeting and expressed excitement in meeting the StudBudz. 'I'm a fan,' he told them. 'I subscribe.' Twitch StudBudz: 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend's top roster spot? Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman
