Valkyries make splash by hiring Natalie Nakase as head coach

Danny Emerman, Bay Area News Group on Oct 10, 2024

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The Valkyries hired Natalie Nakase to be their first head coach, fleshing out more of their identity as an expansion franchise.

Nakase, 44, is believed to be the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history. She spent the past three years as the lead assistant for the Las Vegas Aces, helping them to back-to-back championships. Before that, she worked on the Los Angeles Clippers’ staff for a decade.

“I’m going to pour all my energy and my heart and my soul into this organization,” Nakase said. “I just can’t wait to build a championship team, because that’s what this fan base deserves.”

The process that ended up with Nakase began five months ago, after the Valkyries announced Ohemaa Nyanin as general manager. Nyanin cast a wide net, canvassing the collegiate, international and professional game for a leader of the blank-slate franchise. Nakase met with Nyanin, Warriors and Valkyries owner Joe Lacob, and other members of the Warriors’ front office throughout the process.

“I understand the expectations here,” Nakase said. “(Lacob) made it really clear.”

A former walk-on point guard at UCLA, Nakase has loved basketball all her life. Her late father put a ball in her hand and pushed her to pursue the game.

Nakase’s passion was on display while she sat at the podium, flanked by Nyanin and NBC Sports Bay Area moderator Laura Britt. Nakase smiled, choked up, gesticulated her hands and modulated her voice when discussing her journey, basketball philosophy and the opportunity ahead.

“We were looking for a leader that understood the opportunity that this expansion team has to impact the league,” Nyanin said. “(Lacob) and I were looking for a person who leads with empathy, humility and inclusivity. Somebody who embraces the opportunity to build with myself and (Lacob). Someone who had competitive, grit, grind, and someone who was purpose-driven.”

Nakase, the Valkyries believe, checks off all those boxes.

With the Aces, Nakase served as coach Becky Hammon’s No. 2. She helped the team to the top defensive rating in the league in 2023 while assisting with in-game adjustments, substitution patterns and situational coaching. Before that, she got player development experience with the Clippers in a dual role with them and their G League affiliate.

While she worked for the Clippers, Nakase admired the Warriors’ winning culture from afar. Now she’ll get to continue that with their WNBA franchise.

That’s the task ahead, from the top down. And everyone’s on the same page there.

“I just like the challenge that (Lacob) wants to be No. 1,” Nakase said. “That’s what sports is about. That’s the beauty of sports. You want to be No. 1, you want to be a champion. ... Nobody remembers second place. Everybody remembers the champion. So that’s what drives me.”