Draft:StudBudz

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StudBudz is the name of both a Twitch livestream and the duo of Minnesota Lynx teammates Courtney “Court” Williams and Natisha “T” Hiedeman.^[1] Known for their humor, candidness, and embrace of LGBTQ+ identities, the pair gained widespread attention in 2025 through their unscripted streaming content and high-profile presence at the WNBA All-Star Game.^[2]

In June 2025, Williams and Hiedeman launched a Twitch channel under the name StudBudz.^[2] The concept originated informally in the Lynx training room, where Hiedeman coined the title as a play on their identities as self-described “studs,” a term used within Black lesbian communities to describe more masculine-presenting women.^[3][4]

The channel quickly attracted attention for its unscripted, everyday approach.^[3] Content ranged from travel diaries, practices, and hotel routines to hair-dye experiments, game reactions, and interviews with teammates and competitors.^[2][3] Within two weeks, the stream amassed more than 10,000 followers and by midsummer, the platform counted over 20,000 subscribers.^[2][5] The duo’s decision to livestream every day off during the 2025 WNBA season cemented their reputation for accessibility and entertainment.

Both Williams and Hiedeman, who are openly LGBTQ+, highlighted their identities through the stream, marking a shift from earlier eras in women’s basketball when such visibility was less common.^[2] Their signature matching pink hair, adopted during the summer of 2025, also became a recognizable symbol of the brand. ^[3][6][7]

The turning point for StudBudz came during the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.^[1] Ahead of the event, Williams and Hiedeman promised that if one of them were selected as an All-Star, they would commit to a continuous 72-hour livestream.^[1][3][5] When Williams earned an All-Star selection, the duo followed through on the pledge.^[3]

The uninterrupted broadcast, streamed even while they slept, captured behind-the-scenes aspects of the weekend including player gatherings, parties, and glimpses into collective bargaining meetings.^[6][7] Guests such as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark made spontaneous appearances.^[1]

The stream drew over 300,000 views across the weekend and further boosted their visibility on other platforms, with Instagram followers surpassing 100,000.^[4][8] Merchandise partnerships with TOGETHXR and Playa Society extended the brand into apparel and accessories.^[8]

StudBudz has been credited with reshaping narratives around WNBA culture, particularly in highlighting the presence of masculine-presenting players, who historically have received less mainstream visibility compared to their more traditionally “femme” counterparts.^[4] The stream provided candid access to professional athletes’ lives and reinforced the role of digital media in shaping league culture.^[2]

By embracing humor, authenticity, and LGBTQ+ representation, Williams and Hiedeman helped expand the WNBA’s cultural footprint beyond basketball audiences.^[4] Commentators have pointed to StudBudz as an example of how player-driven media can amplify stories of identity, community, and entertainment within women’s sports.^[4]

In August 2025, the StudBudz appeared on the cover of SLAM magazine.^[4]