Even in a sport often stereotyped as the domain of giants, the Southern Hoiho centre is a giant.
The American import towers over virtually every other person on the court — standing at 1.96m.
Yet it was her love for the game, not her height, that kept her on court.
Cheslek had an impressive college career playing at Gonzaga University, one of college basketball’s top teams.
But she also had scholarship offers in volleyball and track and field — the two others sports she played at high school, in her hometown of Pullman, Washington.
In fact, it was not just other sports she could have moved towards.
Singing is another love and she has spent plenty time in choirs, as well as performing in bars and restaurants, and national anthems before events.
Social media has shown her creative side and interest in marketing in which she completed her degree.
She has 444,000 followers on TikTok and has made videos — predominantly using shock value and humour around her height — that have garnered up to nine million views.
Her success there has reached the level that she makes money off videos, if they get a high enough view count.
On top of that, she works with a fashion business for tall people as a model.
It is an impressive CV and there were plenty of paths she could have pursued.
But it is on court that she feels most at home.
Cheslek began playing basketball while in kindergarten, being pushed into it by her mother, who had played at Washington State University.
"I instantly loved it," the 29-year-old said.
"I was always saying ‘I’m going to play in college, I’m going to play professionally’.
"Ever since then, I’ve been playing basketball."
Since leaving college, Cheslek has compiled an impressive professional basketball career.
She has played at high levels in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Hungary and Australia.
Each place was a little different and being able to adapt to both the different cultures and playing styles had been important.
However, most notably she had a stint training with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA after leaving Gonzaga.
She left to make way for the return of Brittney Griner, the star centre who has recently been embroiled in a cannabis scandal in Russia.
"I loved the experience," Cheslek said.
"It’s top tier when you’re working with the WNBA. At the time the team had Courtney Williams, Izzy Harrison, a lot of those girls.
"It’s so fun to play with that level of player. You can see what you can really do as well. When you have somebody who sees the floor like they do, or can make the passes, it’s just amazing."
Cheslek was enjoying Dunedin and had enjoyed the Southern Hoiho’s first win — a game in which she hauled in 15 rebounds, last weekend.
She provides a big target in the post, while her inside presence on the defensive end makes it tough for opponents to get layups in the half court.
Tuesday’s thrashing from the Northern Kahu had been tough and, while admitting everyone was "just off in some aspect", she was looking forward to turning that around against the Mainland Pouakai in Queenstown on Monday.
She felt the remaining four games were winnable, the team just had to play to its potential and avoid its lapses.
The quality of the league had impressed her, though, and she knew the Hoiho faced a strong opponent every time it played.
"It’s quite a high level. I think, overall, a lot of the teams we are playing, it’s always a tough game.
"The imports are good, the New Zealand girls are good. I think our coach, [Natalie Visger], has done a great job since she’s become coach, really finding plays fitting our team.
"We unfortunately had a little bit of time where we weren’t playing to our full strength. Now Nat’s trying to help us get there — and we are.
"But if we had that all season I think it would have been a different season for us."
Tip-off on Monday is at 7pm.
