PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - It was perhaps written in the stars that Natalie Chou would play her first game at a major tournament for the USA against China and that is exactly what happened when she made her debut at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women on Saturday.

As soon as Chou got a taste of the action in Pilsen, it meant she had another thing in common with her mother Quanli Li, who represented the Chinese national team at youth level before playing professionally in Beijing and then moving to the United States in the 1990s.

Doubling up as her coach, Li has played a pivotal role in helping Chou to improve her skills, although the Texas-born guard admitted it was a case of receiving some tough love.

"Yes, my mum is really tough on me, but I guess it's her job - both as my mum and athletic coach," revealed the 16-year-old.

"I do whatever she wants me to do - it is tough at times, but I know it is for the best.

"It was great to play against China and also because my mum played in the same position as me so I could see how it was and what she had to deal with.

"I was very proud and I was able to talk to the Chinese coaches - my Chinese is okay although I guess I have an accent," smiled Chou.

Meanwhile, due to her mum being well known on the coaching circuit in Texas, the guard has also been able to meet the likes of Chinese basketball star Yi Jianlian, when he was playing for the Dallas Mavericks.

"My mom had some business to take care of and I was able to have some fun meeting with him as I really looked up to him," she recalled.

Chosen at the USA trials due to her varied skill-set, which includes an ability to drive to the hoop, post up or shoot, Chou also helped the USA qualify for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games - ironically to be held in Nanjing, China later this year, after winning the 2014 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship with an 8-0 record.

For now though, Chou is focused solely on making an impression in Pilsen. Not satisfied with her initial contribution, she is looking to build on scoring her first points near the end of the game against China.

"The first game wasn't that good for me, although that score in the final quarter will hopefully get me started," she concluded.

The USA play France and Mali in their remaining Group D games during the first phase of the competition.

FIBA