NAZ HILLMON: Naz is like half woman half amazing

Naz Hillmon isn’t just Atlanta’s spark off the bench. Hillmon’s basically a caffeine IV drip in sneakers.

Tuesday night? Hillmon scored a career-high 21 points. Five threes and the dagger with 2.9 seconds left that sent Atlanta fans into “holy sh*t” mode. That’s not just hot shooting — that’s big game DNA.

This season alone Hillmon is building a Sixth Woman of the Year candidacy that’s impossible to ignore. The forward is in her scoring era of her game and has already recorded 11 double-digit games off the bench this year. This ain’t luck, it’s a testament to her hardwork and dedication (in Floyd Mayweatehr’s voice).

Minutes, Trust, and Impact

Naz this year is is logging serious minutes and making a serious impact. Naz’s impact goes way beyond points — lockdown defense, grabbing key boards, setting screens, spacing the floor, making smart passes.

At 21.7 per game the impact is grand as Hillmon is wildly efficient. For the entire season she’s shooting an incredible 68% from two pointers alone. During crunch time? She’s second only to Allisha Gray in fourth-quarter minutes played.

 

“She’s been fantastic this year… very smart, reliable… most improved player with the development of her shot. She’s really advanced her game and has been huge for us.”

Translation: If Naz were a stock, you’d be buying shares yesterday.

 

“She’s tough, no moment is too big for her… she feels comfortable out there… she did a great job,” said allisha gray.

Naz Is Like

Her numbers tell a story of steady growth: 7.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 32% from deep. For a reserve, those are solid contributions wrapped in energy and timing.

Kennedy Burke often gets the Sixth Woman buzz, but she’s started six games this year — muddying the bench-only criteria. Naz owns her role, delivering clutch plays and consistent energy without starting.

“I’m going to continue to say I appreciate all the people pushing that for me,” Naz said on the 6POY buzz. “If y’all believe it, vote me in there… I appreciate those words from anyone that thinks that of me.”

Smesko also praised Naz’s shooting:

“She felt good about it and we all felt good about it. When it left her hands, we thought it was in.”

And that shooting improvement? Credit Chelsea Lyles, who’s worked closely with Naz on her three-point stroke. 7.5 points. 5 rebounds. 32% from deep. That’s not insane until you remember — she’s not starting. She’s giving you this without the starter’s green light.

And yeah, Kennedy Burke gets Sixth Woman talk, but she’s started six games. That’s like applying for Rookie of the Year after playing in the league last season. Naz owns her role.

Naz on the award buzz:

“If y’all believe it, vote me in there… I appreciate those words from anyone that thinks that of me.”

A perfect Fit

Atlanta’s 16-11 run and perfect record in second games of back-to-backs prove their system thrives on communication, spacing, and defense. Naz is the embodiment of that mold — a high-IQ player with clutch shooting and lockdown defense.

Alisha Gray had nothing but praise:

“I’m so happy for Naz. Many people don’t know how much work she puts in… it’s definitely showing on the court. I can’t stop cheesing.”

Gray also talked about her own mindset grinding through heavy minutes:

“It’s part of the grind… I always expect to play 40 minutes.”

Naz is also quick to credit her teammates for pushing her:

“The biggest thing with my 3pt shot — my teammates and coaches put a lot of confidence in me. Anytime I pass up an open three, they’re like, ‘You need to shoot that,’ even if I’m 0-for-5.”

The Bottom Line

Naz Hillmon game is truly special as she is a player who combines great shooting, with tenacious rebounding, high energy effort defensively, and more importantly ice-cold clutch moments like few reserves in the league.

In the first start of the season against the Phoenix Mercury for Naz Hillmon, she plaeyd 34 minutes, and finished with 18 points (7-12 shooting), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.

Naz Hillmon is out here giving you buckets, rebounds, stops, and daggers without the glory of being in the starting five. She’s humble about it, but make no mistake — Atlanta doesn’t win as much without her.

She’s the type of player who will ruin your night in the fourth quarter and smile about it on the way to the bus. Sixth Woman of the Year? If the voters have a brain cell left, yes.