According to Nielsen’s proprietary data, 46 billion minutes* of women’s sports were consumed in the U.S. in 2025. Nielsen’s new data was revealed in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, along with a compilation of high-profile viewership milestones for U.S. women’s sports in the past year.
Growing alongside the explosive rise of women’s sports is a dynamic force you need to know: Natalie Greene. My history with ‘Natalie Bell’, as she is affectionately called by the dynamic woman who birthed her, goes back to her elementary school days—a tall, elegant girl in a top bun and ballerina shoes. I had no idea then that she was navigating her world in silence, legally deaf but visually attuned to every rhythm.
Watching that quiet grace evolve from the dance floor to the court has been a revelation. Today, the shyness has been replaced by an all-star presence. A scholar who graduated at the top of her class, a model, and a theater enthusiast, ‘Nat’ hasn’t just grown into an athlete—she has become a multifaceted star who defines modern excellence. Keep your eyes on her; the blossom is in full bloom.
Now she is in college doing what she does best. Check out a clip from Black Press USA’s article!
Houston native Natalie Greene, a Deaf basketball standout at Gallaudet University, has been named the United East Conference Rookie of the Year after a dominant freshman season on the court and a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.
By: N.L. Preston, Bayou Beat News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When the United East Conference released its postseason honors this year, one name quickly stood out among the league’s rising stars: Natalie Greene.
The Houston native and first-year forward for Gallaudet University has been named the 2025–26 United East Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year, capping a breakout freshman season that has drawn attention far beyond the Bison campus in Washington, D.C.
Standing 6-foot-2, Greene quickly emerged as one of the most impactful newcomers in the conference, averaging 17 points and 9.4 rebounds per game and earning All-Conference Second Team honors.
Earlier in the season, Greene also captured United East Offensive Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 25 points against Randolph College — a performance that confirmed what teammates and coaches had already begun to see: the arrival of a special talent.
But Greene’s influence on the court goes beyond scoring and rebounds.
“Natalie Greene’s recognition as United East Rookie of the Year transcends mere statistics,” said Gallaudet head coach Stephanie Stevens. “Although she missed the first nine conference games in January due to an injury, she showed remarkable leadership from the sidelines as she recovered. We consistently witness real growth in Natalie, and her passion for the game is evident in her eyes.”
Greene, who has single-sided deafness, chose Gallaudet not only for its basketball program but also for its role as the nation’s premier university for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. New to the Deaf community, she has embraced learning American Sign Language while building connections with teammates and classmates.
A proud graduate of Willowridge High School in Houston, Texas, Greene built a reputation as one of the region’s most dynamic student-athletes. She served as student body president, was crowned homecoming queen, and captained the Lady Eagles’ varsity basketball team while earning district MVP honors for her dominance in the paint.
Those who coached her early say her success today is the result of a relentless work ethic. From Houston to Washington, Natalie Greene is a name that college basketball fans are beginning to remember—and a player many believe is only just getting started…
Read More on BlackPressUSA.com
