Essex Rebels sign experienced Shooting Guard Natalie Chou

Essex Rebels are delighted to announce that gifted shooting guard Natalie Chou will be a part of the Rebels roster for the 2025/2026 campaign. 

The UCLA graduate is expected to bring a combination of top-level experience and talent following spells in the United States, Germany, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand. 

Hailing from Texas, Chou attended Plano West High School, where she became a three-time all-state player. Other early successes including winning Gold at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Cup, as well as being named a McDonald’s All-American in 2016. 

Following her time in high school, the twenty-seven-year-old spent two years apiece with both Baylor University and UCLA.  

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting her college career with UCLA, Chou was still named as the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year in 2022. 

Following her promising College career, Chou signed with the Rheinland Lions in the German first division in 2022. This was followed by spells with both the Kalamunda Eastern Suns of Australia and Östersund Basket in Sweden. 

In 2024, Chou returned to the NBL1 West in Australia, this time with the Perth Redbacks. After a brief spell with Southern Hoiho in New Zealand, Chou returned back to the Perth Redbacks for the 2025 NBL1 West season. 

Last season saw Chou average 23.1 points per game across twenty-one appearances, as well as boasting an 88% success rate from the free throw line. 

The highlight of Chou’s season came against the Mandurah Magic, in the last game of the regular season in a 84-96 victory for the Redbacks. Chou contributed with forty-four points, making eleven out of eleven free throws and scoring three three-pointers.  

Speaking ahead of her arrival to the Essex Rebels, Natalie Chou is excited to get going: 

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to join and represent Essex Rebels this upcoming season. I’m looking forward to growing both on and off the court with a great group of girls. I can’t wait to get to work!” 

Rebels Head Coach Ashley Cookson added: 

“We’re so excited to welcome Natalie to the Essex Rebels. She’s not only a talented and versatile player, but also a wonderful person who will add so much to our team and community. We can’t wait to see the impact she makes both on and off the court this season.”

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