Every athlete has a dream but for Minnesota State senior women's basketball player
Natalie Bremer, even she can't believe those dreams are becoming a reality.
From her early days as a young girl with a passion for the game to her current role as a key player on one of the nation's most successful basketball programs, Bremer's journey is a testament to dedication, adaptability, and the power of a supportive community.
Bremer's love for basketball ignited in her early years. She recalls attending school sessions in the second and third grades, where young kids were encouraged to explore sports, particularly basketball. Little did she know that these early experiences would lay the foundation for a lifelong passion.
"I loved basketball from the start," Bremer said. "My passion for the game started out as a little second-grader, watching the big kids have so much fun playing basketball. Ever since then, the passion has only gotten stronger."
One of her fondest memories from those early days was a victory in a sixth-grade tournament, driven by the simple motivation of wearing a first-place shirt to school.
"It made the games so much more fun and exciting for us to have a goal of simply getting a shirt that we could match with," she said.
Joining the Mavericks
When it came time to choose a college, Bremer found herself drawn to Minnesota State.
The recruiting process was enjoyable, and she connected easily with the coaches, who valued not only her skills but also her personality and family.
What truly sealed the deal for Bremer, however, was the culture and chemistry of the team and community.
"The coaches poured so much belief into what the standard is here at Minnesota State," she said. "We are always going to be a championship team based on what we do."
Bremer's freshman season was marked by adapting to Minnesota State's unique playing style, which is built on instincts, reads, and reactions.
Coach
Emilee Thiesse instilled confidence in her freshmen players, encouraging them to put themselves out there and make plays.
"We knew from the beginning that Natalie had a bright future as a Maverick," said Thiesse. "Her instinct, athleticism, and skill transitioned very smoothly to our up-tempo system, and she was able to make an impact right away. She has an incredible drive as a player and has continued to grow her game and her leadership throughout the course of her career.
Natalie has cemented herself as a top player in the NSIC and across all of Division II women's basketball. "
Teammates also played a significant role in Bremer's adjustment, pushing her to reach new levels of comfort and performance.
As the Mavericks experienced remarkable success, Bremer had the opportunity to be part of memorable moments.
Aside from winning a national championship, one of her favorite memories was the NSIC conference championship in the same year.
Her gratitude extended to the community and school, who showed up in ways that no other team had experienced.
"We were so locked into who we were as a basketball team, and nothing was going to get in the way of our goals," she said.
Leadership
With her wealth of experience, Bremer now takes on a leadership role, guiding younger players and pushing them to reach their potential. She credits the team's success this season to their chemistry, depth, and ability to connect with each other.
"We truly care for one another, and that is showing up within our games," she said. "We are a fun, loose, goofy group of girls, and that adds so much more to our game and system."
Bremer's performance on the court has also garnered recognition, such as being named the National Player of the Week (Dec. 2) and winning the last two NSIC South Division Player of the Week awards (Dec. 1 and Dec. 8). For the season, Bremer leads the Mavericks in scoring (20.6 ppg), while shooting over 50 percent from the field.
"Natalie has brought an incredible scoring punch to start this season but it's her overall impact through rebounding and creating steals that makes her such an asset to our team," added Thiesse. "She is a dynamic threat on both ends of the court and truly has an ability to have an effect on every possession of the game."
She humbly attributes her accomplishments to the program and her teammates, emphasizing that individual awards are driven by team success.
"These awards are also driven by team success, so I give a lot of credit to how we are performing as a basketball team and where that will take us," Bremer said.
Gratitude
As a student-athlete at Minnesota State, Bremer has experienced firsthand the support and camaraderie of the #MavFam. She describes it as an amazing community that strives for success and acts as each other's number-one supporters.
"The NCAA tournament knows Minnesota State very well, and that will continue to grow as our culture here grows," she said.
Looking ahead, Bremer plans to attend graduate school for occupational therapy, eager to apply the lessons and life skills she has learned at Minnesota State to her future endeavors.
Bremer's journey has been one of passion, growth, and success, and she remains grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped her into the player and person she is today.
