“The talk in the locker room was about using [Capital Hoops] as fuel for the next few games coming up”
When you think of basketball, you think of speed and skill, quick feet and hands, and a great deal of athleticism. Therefore, when you think of basketball, you’re thinking of Natsuki Szczokin, a master’s student in international development and globalization from Barrie, Ontario, and the point guard for the University of Ottawa women’s basketball team.
Leading the country in total steals and steals per game and ranking fourth in most assists, she has guided the Gee-Gees to 17 wins out of the 20 games they’ve played, dominating the court while being a well-rounded player. Szczokin is scoring 17.2 points per game while averaging 4.8 assists per game. Her incredible skill and IQ of the game are clearly on display to anyone who watches her play.
Szczokin began playing basketball like any other kid, playing with friends at recess or bump after school. However, she recalled how she started her basketball career: “I tried out for the Barrie Royals when I was in Grade Four, and then, I just haven’t stopped playing since.”
Her journey continued in Simcoe County during grades 9 and 10, in which she played in the JUEL Prep league; which is a provincial league that provides opportunities for female players by ideally establishing practices no further than an hour away from any player. Allowing them to focus on their education while also demanding exceptional skill, leading her to earn a spot on the All-Star team in 2016. She was later recognized as a Prep First Team All-Star in 2017.
This success opened doors for her to compete in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) with Southwest Academy. However, the start of her basketball career there did not begin as expected; with a broken leg, Natsuki could not play her first year and was sidelined.
Admirably, she didn’t give up and worked hard to obtain her spot on the team by Grade 12, which is also where she reunited with current teammate Emily Payne, who has been a constant in Natsuki’s career, from the Royals all the way to the Gee-Gees, contributing to her growth and development as a player and a person.
The Barrie star recalled how much of an impact Southwest Academy had on the remarkable player we know today as a Gee-Gees star: “It was a big change going from regular high school basketball to the OSBA league. Moving away from home and living far away from my parents was a big adjustment for me, but Southwest Academy was an awesome experience. I met a lot of close friends there, and it’s been nice to see a lot of my teammates from there succeed, playing either in the NCAA or in the OUA as well.”
Now, after all this, the lingering question is: how did she get to Ottawa? How did she become the Gee-Gees star we know today? “I was getting recruited by [then-Gees head coach] Andy Sparks in Grade 10,” said Szczokin.
“[The U of O] was the first school that contacted me and was interested in having me as one of their players. And so, when grades 11 and 12 came around, Andy Sparks was still contacting me and recruiting me to the team.”
Szczokin also shared how she came on a visit and fell in love with the University of Ottawa. “The environment here was very, very welcoming. You know, the athletes were really kind, and the coaches were also very nice and welcoming as well. So just the environment itself made me really attracted to the university. So with all of that and the success of the program throughout the years, I thought it would be a really good fit.”
Manifesting her show-stopping career in her first year with the Gee-Gees (2019–2020), Szczokin played in all 22 of the team’s games — starting 15 — averaging 7.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds. She also had an impressive 52 assists and 29 steals, which rightfully earned her recognition as an OUA All-Rookie .
When asked about it, she contended the recognition was of a team effort. “In my first year, there were some really amazing players on the team. So I was really looking up to the seniors on the team, and me growing as a player. I think seeing how the culture was on the team, the hard work that all the girls go through, things like that, it really makes you want to work harder.”
By her second year — after the 2020-21 season went unplayed due to COVID — Szczokin started every game, earning her a spot on the OUA East Second Team All-Stars. Under incoming head coach Rose-Anne Joly, she increased her average to 8.9 points per game and led the team in minutes played per game, at 29.9 minutes. She even scored a career-high 24 points in a win against Ontario Tech.
In her third year, she surpassed that number, reaching an impressive career high of 29 points against Laurentian, advancing the team to the OUA quarterfinals.
Szczokin reflected on playing in high-stakes games. “With important games, especially playoff games, there are a lot of nerves that come into play. But I think I’ve learned the importance of having trust with your team as a whole. I think we’ve done a really good job of supporting each other, and the nerves kind of just go away when you know everyone has each other’s backs and we’re playing for each other.”
This season, the team has relied on the word “compete,” which she defined as: “It’s just making sure that we’re working hard and playing hard while we’re on the court. And, you know, just making sure that we’re staying aggressive.”
This mindset has been evident throughout the year, especially in dominant wins such as 111–42 against Ontario Tech. However, on the topic of aggressiveness, the Capital Hoops Classic came into the conversation. The Gee-Gees had the advantage for the first half of the game, but what happened?
Szczokin shared her insight. “Obviously, we were on a big run in the first half, and the second half didn’t go as we had planned. I think, you know, Carleton, they were able to hit some big threes that really changed the game.”
She added a hopeful note from the locker room. “The talk in the locker room was about using this as fuel for the next few games coming up. Because, obviously, Capital Hoops was a game we really wanted to win, but our end goal is towards the OUA championships, as well as going into nationals this year. So we’re looking at the bigger picture and trying to just stay focused on our goals for the end of the year.”
With numerous awards throughout her career, such as 2023–24 OUA First Team All-Star, 2022–23 OUA Third Team All-Star, and 2021–22 OUA East Second Team All-Star, Szczokin has proven what she can achieve when she competes for it and shows the world how much she wants it.
As her final year with the Gee-Gees comes to a close, and with it our last chance to see her in garnet and grey, make sure to pay attention as the team opens the playoffs with a quarterfinal matchup against the Queen’s Gaels on Montpetit Hall on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Tune in on the OUA.TV app to watch from home.
