Chock Returns Home To Finish Studies And College Ball

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Monica Chock (front, center) gives a shaka with her former teammates during her sophomore year at Linfield College. Photo from Chock.

In a sense, Monica Chock could be considered a “self-made player” in the local basketball community. She admits she didn’t take the conventional route when developing her game.

“I never went to a lot of camps or clinics like Kalakaua (popular fundamentals clinic) or anything when I was younger,” said Chock, who recently transferred from Linfield College in Oregon to Hawaii Pacific University where she will play out the final year of her college eligibility. “I just started playing at gyms, and I began playing competitively in sixth grade.”

Chock, an Aiea native, was a quick study in both basketball and soccer, starring at St. Francis where she was a two-time All-ILH selection in both. When she left for Linfield in 2003, there were no opportunities in the state to continue basketball, as only Division I Hawaii had a program. Chaminade, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, UHHilo and HPU added women’s Division II basketball programs three years later. Sitting in her dorm room in Oregon, Chock received the news with mixed emotions.

“I was kind of bummed. I always had it in the back of my mind that I’d like to play college basketball at home in front of my friends and family,” she said. “But, then, I had always wanted to go away and play on the Mainland. I’m excited now to be back home. I was close to transferring before both my junior and senior years - I had become homesick - but I didn’t.”

At Linfield, she was a reserve, playing both the point and off guard positions. “If I had my choice, I’d probably rather play the one (point guard position).”

At HPU, her prospects for playing time are “wide open.” Indeed, the Sea Warriors will be a young team dominated by first-year players, according to Chock. Before enrolling at HPU, she had played in several open gyms with past members of the Sea Warrior team.

“I’ve heard they’ll have practically a brand-new team this year. They’ve been doing a lot of recruiting. As long as I work hard, I feel pretty confident.”

This summer she’s competing with other college players with Hawaii ties in the Division I basketball league at Kilauea District Park in Kaimuki, which includes former UH standout Nani Cock-ett, among others.

“It’s a really good league, and it’s nice that kids have somewhere they can keep playing competitive basketball here in Hawaii,” said Chock, who is the youngest of three kids born to Rodney and Luz Chock. “I’m trying to play basketball as much as I can.”

HPU coach Jeff Harada was out of scholarships by the time of her transfer, so Chock will be a walk-on with the team. Having graduated with her degree in communications/art this spring, she’ll be pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

Chock currently works at a youth camp for kids at Kualoa District Park and spent three summers as a teacher’s assistant at St. Francis. She also worked in Oregon as a referee, calling youth games in both basketball and

soccer. She plans a career in social work and hasn’t ruled out coaching basketball.

“I have a lot of experience working with kids, although I don’t know for sure what I’ll be doing. Basketball has always been my stress reliever, whether playing a game or just shooting around by myself. It relaxes me.”