Natalia returns for her senior season at Okemos after earning First Team All-Conference honors as a junior, and she should once again be an important piece for the Wolves in the CAAC Blue. The 2027 guard brings a nice combination of strength, quickness and athleticism that allows her to make an impact on both ends of the floor. One of the things I like about Natalia’s game is her ability to make things difficult for opposing ball handlers, using her quick feet to cut off driving lanes and active hands to create deflections and steals. She also does a nice job turning those defensive plays into transition opportunities, using her speed to get down the floor and finish at the rim. Offensively, Natalia has the ability to create off the dribble, finish with either hand and knock down shots from beyond the arc. Her combination of defensive toughness and offensive versatility makes her a valuable returning player for Okemos as the Wolves look to climb the conference standings this season.

Natalia had physical strength and quickness that separated her from other guards at 3-Phase. She made a significant impact defensively by cutting off ball-handlers, deflecting passes, and turning steals into transition layups. One of Natalia’s best moments was when she turned on the jets to beat the defense back and scored a crossover left-handed layup at the buzzer. Natalia showed her outside range by knocking down a corner 3 and a smooth straightaway triple off the dribble.

Natalia made an impact for Okemos with her aggressiveness on the floor at Big Cat Fall League on Sunday. She knocked down a smooth mid-range jumper off the dribble and added a triple from the wing. Natalia muscled her way into position for multiple offensive rebounds and finished off two in the paint. Her physicality and defensive presence will give opposing guards fits this winter.

On D, sometimes you just need to want it worse than the player in the other jersey. Sums up some of what I saw from Hawks. She made hustle plays. One in particular, she turned on the jets, picked off a pass and took it for 2 on the other end.

Natalie had an excellent day for Team 1 at The Expo. She has a killer crossover dribble to get past her defenders. She is a hustling player, never afraid to hit the floor for a loose ball. She always keeps her head up, leading the break and ready to deliver the pass to open teammates.