The StudBudz brand seemed to grow rapidly, but it was the result of hours of effort. Undeniably, social media helped them share their experiences, and their consistency laid the foundation for growth, while their chemistry captivated viewers.
Thanks to authenticity and genuine friendship, they went viral in 2025. Their behind-the-scenes content took the spotlight at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend and they have been unstoppable ever since. Let’s talk more about the dynamic duo and their contributions to the game, both on and off the court. Meet the StudBudz and let’s analyze their rise in popularity.
Who are the StudBudz?
WNBA players Courtney Williams and Natisha T. Hiedeman are best friends who comprise the duo called StudBudz. They are close teammates who both play guard for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The StudBudz literally means “stud” and “buds,” two women who identify as gay and are close friends. “I think that’s kind of where the name came from. For sure, we’re just two stud buds hanging out,” Hiedeman confirmed.
Williams always knew she wanted to play basketball. Growing up in Georgia in an athletic, motivating family, her parents greatly impacted her basketball career in her early years. She played in the same high school her mom, Michelle, played in, which held the record for the single-game score of 40 points. Williams broke this record 22 years later when she started playing for the team, scoring 42 points in a game.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Hiedeman also loved sports. She started off playing baseball, becoming the only girl on her team. In high school, she was also good at other sports, including triple jump, high jump, long jump, and 100-meter hurdles, eventually earning the nickname “T-Spoon.”
The StudBudz’s friendship started as players on the same team, the Connecticut Sun, where the pair first met in 2019. A friendship that began with a birthday party invitation from Williams led to something beautiful. Although separated by trades, they met again as teammates in Minnesota.
How The StudBudz Gained Popularity
StudBudz started social media platforms that follow the lifestyle of the duo. In June this year, they started their social media journey by creating their Instagram and TikTok accounts. After a few weeks of daily posting, they had garnered 10k followers. Subsequently, they launched their Twitch channel which now has over 78,000 followers. It started with a few viewers and the athletes sharing their game reactions and hair dyeing sessions.
Hiedeman ran a 72-hour livestream of the All-Star weekend, recording her teammate, Williams and other athletes who attended the event. On the livestream, they covered court gameplay, parties, off-court chitchats, hotel room pranks and more importantly, kept fans hooked. Their Twitch account viewings grew, with one of their livestream videos from the event amassing over 500,000 views.
Offseason Plans: What’s Next for The StudBudz
The Studbudz are preparing for the next WNBA season after making it all the way to the WNBA Finals this season. They are currently carrying us along on that experience as they get closer to achieving their streaming goals.
Williams told Forbes that creators on Twitch, like Kai Cenat, motivated her to have high expectations. She said, “Honestly, I saw that streamers been getting that bag.” Further, they will focus on building the brand and pushing their merchandise line for “Everybody Watches Studbudz,” made in partnerships with companies like DoorDash and Togethxr.
The duo envisions breaking the stereotypical mindset about women by being authentic to themselves. Hiedeman said in an interview, “It’s just cool that we really just get to be ourselves, and people are supporting us for who we are.” While they plan to do more hours of streaming, they will always encourage and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to playing in the WNBA the duo also appeared in the offshoot Unrivaled league. The expectation is that will continue, especially now that they have additional buzz and excitement around what they’re doing.
Image Credit: Steph Chambers / Staff | Getty Images
