by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Natalia Chavez, aka Bubs, is an elite high school sophomore basketball player in New Mexico. She is a 5-10 shooting guard for Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque. She also plays AAU basketball at a national elite level.
“My tribes are Cochiti Pueblo/Laguna Pueblo/San Felipe Pueblo,” said Natalia. “My clan is the Water Clan. My Indian name is Sisica (Sparrow). My parents are Alysha and Curtis Chavez and my brother is Sonny.”
Natalia’s performer resume’ is extensive and this is just from her sophomore season: Team Captain, 1st Team All-District, District 1 – 5A Player of the Year, 1st Team All-Metro, 1st Tam All-State, MaxPreps NM All-State Team, and she maintained a 3.7 GPA for three consecutive semesters of her high school career.
“I also compete for the New Mexico Elite 2022 AAU Basketball club team and we were the 2019 NABI National Champions,” said Natalia. “During my freshman year in 2018-19, I received First Team All District, Academic All District, and 5A Girls Second Team All-Metro. This year my sophomore season in 2019-2020, I received the 1-5A Girls Basketball Player of the Year, First Team All District, Academic All District, New Mexico High School Association 5A Girls First Team All-State and All-Metro, and Max Preps New Mexico First Team All-State. We made it to the 5-A Girls State Championship game where we fell short and received runner-up.”
“My basketball career started when I was five years old in kindergarten,” said Natalia. “I played in the Laguna Youth Basketball League. As the years went on my father and his friend created the Bearcats Club ball team and we played in the Albuquerque Youth Basketball League. We traveled to basketball tournaments throughout the state of New Mexico and El Paso TX. As I got into my middle school years I joined New Mexico Elite 2022 Basketball Club Team and I am currently a part of. The team travels throughout the United States and have played in several national championship games.”
“The way I think about core values begins with the reflection on my identity and where I learned, from whom I learned,” said Natalia. “I am Cochiti/Laguna/San Felipe. I am a community member. I am a daughter and granddaughter. I am a sister and niece. I am defined by my duties to those around me such as my mother and father, my grandmother, and my entire community who influence my daily life and have shaped the vision, goals and ways of knowing I have for myself.”
“I was born and raised in Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. Knowing the history and challenges that Indigenous people have faced through our existence on Mother Earth, I have positioned myself to learn as much as possible from my communities. When it is my time to be challenged I will be prepared with the resources that will help me rise to the challenge and allow me to help out my Pueblo communities,” added Natalia.
“As an athlete growing up I was influenced by Kobe Bryant,” said Natalia. “My parents were big LA Laker fans and even named me after Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia. Kobe influenced me because he always had the drive in him to get better everyday no matter what it takes. The way he played when his team was down or even up he still had this drive in him that no one could stop. He gave his all every single game he played until his very last game. That helped me understand that every game you play always give it your all, like it’s your last game. This makes me get up every day and grind to get myself better as an athlete.”
“All of my coaches and trainers from the start of my career until now have played a major part of my development,” said Natalia. “They have been great role models and have taught me so much about the game and how important it is to take care of my academics first.”
“Natalia is a positive example of hard work and dedication, not only on the court, but in the classroom as well,” said Lisa Villareal, Volcano Vista HS Lady Hawks Basketball
Head Coach. “She’s very coachable and receptive to feedback, and that makes her a great student/athlete. She continually is improving her individual skills during practices and on her own time.”
“Natalia volunteers during the summer with Spirit of Hoops, the Volcano Vista Summer Youth basketball camp, and with the middle school NACA girls basketball team,” added Coach Lisa.
“Natalia Chavez is a special student-athlete,” said Greg Brown, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Volcano Vista and Coach Of the Girls NM Elite. “She is very talented, and smart, but it’s her work ethic that sets her apart. She has put countless hours into what has made her one of the best student-athletes in the state of New Mexico. A major reason for this is the example set by her parents Curtis and Alyssa. They are both very successful and hard working individuals and are very dedicated to supporting Natalia as she works to reach her goals. I have enjoyed watching and being a small part of Natalia’s HS journey that has included her winning All State, All Metro First And District Player of the Year honors and knowing Natalia like I do, this is only the beginning. I’m sure she will work even harder to make sure there is more to come.”
“Natalie Chavez is a role model student-athlete,” said basketball trainer Jamal Fenton. “There is no substitute for hard work. Her leadership and work ethic is among the best!
Natalia’s ‘mamba mentality’ will continually improve her skills on the court as well as off the court. I am very proud of Natalia and it gives me great pleasure to her trainer. ‘The Dream is Free, the Hustle is Sold Separately’ is a quote we believe in.”
“There’s those who simply play basketball, then there’s those who are hoopers,” said Eric Benedick, player development coach to Natalia as well as coaching her in NABI and the New Mexico Elite Program. “Bubs is a hooper, straight up. She’s always working on her craft and seeking to improve. You never have to motivate or push her to go the extra length or get in the gym to work. When someone is that driven and in love with the game, it’s an enjoyment to coach and be a part of the journey. That energy feeds to others in workouts. When one of your best players is always bringing it, it makes everyone else have to bring it up a level as well.”
“I have coached Natalia Chavez during summer ball for the past three years on New Mexico Elite 2022,” said Barry Bates. “Natalie has continued to work hard and improve her game each year. Natalie is a gym rat, always willing to work hard and put in the extra work to get better. She is a key part to our team. Natalie leads best by example, on and off the court. She gives effort by playing hard on the court and most importantly getting the job done in school with her schoolwork. She gets along great with her teammates and they all have a great sisterhood bond that they have created which allows them to play well and have success together.”
“Natalia is an extremely hard worker,” said Morgan Smith, Natalia’s strength and conditioning coach at The Athletes Playground. “When she sets her mind on something she gets the job done. I mainly work with her during her off-season, but if she had any time to come in during season you better believe she is in the gym getting stronger. Sometimes she will come right after a game or before, there’s no doubt she wants to be the best athlete she can possibly be. She has an outstanding work ethic and will be a D1 athlete, I can’t wait to watch her grow!”
“My teammates on my high school and club ball teams have taught me that you don’t have to be blood to be family,” said Natalia. “There is a bond that we share both on and off the court. They will always be a part of my life.”
“As I go into every training, practice and game I have to always be emotionally prepared,” said Natalia. “Whether it’s clearing my mind and focusing on what I need to improve on or what I need to do in a specific game.”
“During this time in our pandemic world it has given me a chance to spend time with my family and enjoy delicious home cooked meals,” said Natalia. “As school has been canceled for the remainder of the school year I can say that I really miss school and my friends and teammates. Although it is heartbreaking that school has come to an end I am thankful that I was able to finish out my high school basketball season.”
“As the state tournament started fans were cheering us on but things changed as the pandemic hit New Mexico. During our semifinal game fans were not allowed in the Pit. It was weird playing in an environment without any fans. We won the semifinal game and made it to the state championship and again fans were not allowed to attend. My family and other fans gathered at a restaurant located by the Pit to cheer us on while watching us play on TV. Although we came up short this will be a time to remember when we played a championship game without any fans in the stands,” added Natalia.
“I continue to practice on my game by running five miles a day with my mom,” said Natalia. “Shooting and working on my ball handing skills. Continuing to work on my core and improve my technique and strength with workouts videos that my trainer has sent me.”
“Always remember where you came from,” said Natalia. “Be an athlete who continues to strive and dream of one day making it to the next level.”
Photo Credit: Alysha and Curtis Chavez
