The Golden State Valkyries have secured their head coach with Natalie Nakase taking the job.
Nakase, who has spent the last three years as an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces, was hired Thursday by the expansion franchise that begins play in 2025.
“Being named the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries is a lifelong dream come true,” Nakase said. “I am thankful to Joe Lacob, Ohemaa Nyanin and the Golden State front office for entrusting me with this responsibility. We are committed to building a winning culture of grit, hard work, and competitiveness. We will strive to improve, compete, and ultimately bring home a championship for our fans and this organization.”
Nakase helped the Aces to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Prior to her time with the Aces, Nakase spent 11 seasons in various capacities with the Los Angeles Clippers, most recently as an assistant coach and player development coach in a dual role with the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers.
Nakase, who has spent the last three years as an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces, was hired Thursday by the expansion franchise that begins play in 2025.
“Being named the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries is a lifelong dream come true,” Nakase said. “I am thankful to Joe Lacob, Ohemaa Nyanin and the Golden State front office for entrusting me with this responsibility. We are committed to building a winning culture of grit, hard work, and competitiveness. We will strive to improve, compete, and ultimately bring home a championship for our fans and this organization.”
Nakase helped the Aces to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Prior to her time with the Aces, Nakase spent 11 seasons in various capacities with the Los Angeles Clippers, most recently as an assistant coach and player development coach in a dual role with the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers.
“Natalie is the perfect candidate to lead the Valkyries as our head coach,” Golden State GM Ohemaa Nyanin said. “She exemplifies every character trait in what we were looking for in a head coach and possesses deep expertise across professional basketball. Her journey is representative of the grit and perseverance that our team will embody to achieve our ultimate goal of winning championships.”
Nakase said the interview process started around the Olympic break and as soon as her season in Las Vegas ended she moved to the Bay Area.
“I literally was in meetings two days ago with the Las Vegas Aces. So it was a quick change, after I found out,” she said. “It’s exciting. And obviously as soon as I heard the news, I mean, I was jumping for joy and was ready to go.”
Nakase was a little nervous about telling the Las Vegas staff and players, but said they couldn’t have been nicer.
“It was a bunch of hugs, tears, you know, and it couldn’t have been better for me,” she said. “Just because having that support, it meant a lot. You know, it’s completely different than not having a lot of support.”
The Los Angeles native was a walk-on at UCLA, serving as a team captain for three seasons. She played professionally for two years in the NWBL with the San Jose Spiders and San Diego Siege.
News
Upcoming WNBA expansion hits Aces with tough blow, and another is coming
The Las Vegas Aces suffered two tough blows in the past few days. Their 2024 season ended on Sunday in a 76-62 loss to the Liberty, and on Thursday, the Golden State Valkyries announced Natalie Nakase as their first head coach. Nakase spent…
Golden State Valkyries Make Historic Hire Ahead of Inaugural WNBA Season
The Valkyries hired Natalie Nakase as the WNBA’s first ever Asian-American woman to hold a head coaching job. Natalie Nakase will make history as the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries next season. The Golden State Valkyries are set…
Sky’s hasty hiring, firing of Teresa Weatherspoon is another blemish for franchise to fix
Instead of Sky ownership adequately addressing the misstep during its first media availability since the firing, it was left to GM Jeff Pagliocca, who was hired nearly three weeks after Weatherspoon. The Sky fired coach Teresa Weatherspoon on Sept. 27…
‘Emotions were high’ with Angel Reese after Teresa Weatherspoon’s firing: Sky GM
It was a turbulent time for the Sky with their most popular player after they fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. After the WNBA team’s decision last month to axe Weatherspoon after one season, rookie Angel Reese spoke out in her former…
WNBA reveals plan for a best-of-seven Finals and a longer regular season
Before Lynx-Liberty Game 1, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the season likely will go deeper into October. She also said the league is taking steps to combat racism and bullying. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking before the draft in April. WNBA…
Big changes are coming to the WNBA in 2025.
WNBA Announces Changes to Regular Season, Playoff Format for 2025 Season. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert holds a press conference before game one of the WNBA Finals. There will be some significant changes coming to the WNBA in 2025, league commissioner…
End of content
No more pages to load