It is quite the change from the bright lights of life with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA playoffs.
Horston has linked with the Tokomanawa Queens in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa League this season, and life in New Zealand seems to suit her just fine.
"It’s been amazing," Horston told the Otago Daily Times.
"I feel like life is slower over here. You don’t have to rush to anything. It’s different, for sure.
"I like it a lot better than America — and I say that proudly."
It has been small things New Zealanders take for granted that have struck Horston the most, like the number of cafes.
"It’s like ... what you see in the movies.
"We don’t really have a lot of those sit-down, get a coffee-type places in America.
"It’s just been really cool to experience that. Just makes you enjoy life."
Horston, who was in Dunedin on Sunday despite being ruled out of the game against the Southern Hoiho, has been labelled one of the biggest basketball signings to grace New Zealand shores.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, went to college at the University of Tennessee, where she shone for the Lady Vols, finishing her career as the No1-ranked true guard at Tennessee with 21 career double-doubles.
It was there where she met her girlfriend, Tamari Key, who has linked with Horston again at the Tokomanawa Queens.
Being able to play together again, after their final college year was cut short when Key was sidelined due to blood clots in her lungs, had been special.
"I feel like we grew up together," Horston said.
"I didn’t know if we were ever going to be able to play again together, so now that we have this opportunity, of course we’re very thankful for it.
"It kind of reminds me of old times, bringing back old memories of us on the court, especially like when we’re in pick-and-roll situations.
"It’s a good feeling. I’m happy and blessed for it."
After college, Horston was the No9 pick for the Seattle Storm in the 2023 WNBA draft, and she has played 75 games (31 starts) across two seasons.
In her rookie season, Horston averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks — ranked second among WNBA rookies for steals and blocks — all while playing with an injured shoulder.
While the WNBA definitely "feels like a job", Horston said she was thankful to be part of the best league in the world.
"It’s a dream come true. I always dreamt of playing in the WNBA."
All eyes have been on the WNBA this season, the arrival of college star Caitlin Clark leading to the league breaking viewer records.
Horston noticed the rise in people taking notice — but that should have always been there, she said.
"We’re the new hot commodity now — even though it should have been that way already.
"The talent’s always been there, just now the eyes are on it.
"I feel like a lot more people are finally seeing what women can do in sports. I’m thankful for that.
"We deserve way more than we’ve got and I’m just excited to see how far we can go with it."
Women’s sport in general deserved far more respect than it received and people did not understand what women went through to play, she said.
"You look at mothers who just had kids — that’s coming off childbirth, and coming back and still producing.
"I mean, no man can ever do that. It’s just different.
"We have to do a lot more to our bodies to sustain and I feel like that doesn’t get noticed a lot."
Horston, who also won gold at the Americas under-16 women’s championship in 2017 in Argentina and won the under-17 World Cup in 2018 in Belarus, praised the Tauihi league.
The Tokomanawa Queens had been welcoming, teaching her their culture and various words, and she felt the league was on the right track.
"I would definitely come back."
After the Tauihi season finishes, Horston will head home to Columbus, where she is in the process of buying a house.
She heads to Nashville in January for the Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season until March then will prepare for her third season with the Seattle Storm.
