The United States native grew up playing the sport she loves in Texas, having been drawn to basketball through her mother, Quanli Li, who played professionally back home in China.
But through her college career, at Baylor University, in Texas, and later at the University of California, Los Angeles, there were very few athletes of Asian descent across a variety of codes, Chou said.
But there were hardly any female basketball players and she wanted to be an advocate for them.
"At the time I was in school it was like less than 1% of athletes were Asian-American," Chou said.
"I just wanted to be that representation for the younger generation and just show that it doesn’t matter what you look like, or anything, or what your cultural background is.
"But if you love what you do, and you work hard at it, you can achieve anything."
That has stuck with her through her professional career, which has led her to Germany, Australia, Sweden and now New Zealand with the Southern Hoiho.
Staying grounded in her values and believing in her abilities helped her transition through the new environments, she said.
"It’s knowing why I’m doing what I’m doing and staying rooted in that is what’s important."
Representation mattered, especially when it came to being a role model for the younger generation and interacting with them, something she was loving with the Southern Hoiho community.
"That’s a big reason why [I play basketball].
"I get so much energy from the younger kids too — it’s a win-win."
Chou, 26, grew up in Plano, Texas, and spent six years at college, at Baylor from 2016 to 2018 before transferring to UCLA from 2018 to 2022.
Her college career, where she graduated in education and health sciences, and an undergraduate degree in sociology, gave her a chance to grow as a player and a person.
"The 2016 Natalie is not the 2022 Nat — that’s what I’m most proud of."
The forward also won gold with the United States under-17 at the Fiba under-17 world championship in 2014 and won silver with the United States 3x3 team at the Fiba 3x3 under-18 world cup in 2015.
After college, Chou turned professional and headed to Germany, playing for the Rheinland Lions in 2022, and then headed to Perth, where she played for the Eastern Suns in the NBL1 West league.
She then played for Ostersund in Sweden, and returned to Perth this year and played for the Perth Redbacks.
Chou is in her first season with the Southern Hoiho in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, a competition she described as high calibre.
"Each team is packed with amazing talent.
"It brings me back to my college days where ... you have to know what each person does."
She spoke highly of Southern Hoiho coach Todd Marshall and said she loved the team’s environment.
The Southern Hoiho are searching for their first win when they play the Whai in Dunedin tomorrow.
The Whai, home to former Southern Hoiho player Laina Snyder, opened their season with a 98-80 win against the Mainland Pouakai, and played the Tokomanawa Queens last night.
Chou said the Southern Hoiho needed to build on their performances from the past few games to get the win.
"It should be a really good game.
"We’ll get there. I believe in every one of my team-mates."
