Natalie Nakase was announced as the head coach of the WNBA’s 13th and newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr last October. I received a text message.
“The first day of my press conference, (Steve Kerr) texted me. He said, ‘Nat, if you need anything, you’re welcome.’” Nakase recalled to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. “Why wouldn’t I pick his brain? He’s won four championships. I’d be a fool not to utilize Steve (Kerr).”
Nakase has worked with many outstanding basketball talents throughout his coaching career. Nakase served as an assistant coach under: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon She has been a key component of the Aces’ back-to-back WNBA championships over the past two seasons (2022, 2023). Before that, Nakase spent 10 seasons. Los Angeles ClippersWorking from video coordinator to assistant coach and player development coach for the Clippers and their G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers, Nakase emphasizes grit and perseverance that he hopes his team will exemplify on and off the court.
“They have to play like their lives depend on it,” Nakase said.
Golden State Valkyries: New WNBA teams will select players for the 2025 class in the expansion draft. List view
Nakase and the Valkyries took an important step toward building a franchise by selecting their first roster of players through the WNBA Expansion Draft on December 6. Nakase handpicked 11 players, each from a different team. She has the opportunity to add to the lineup through the 2025 WNBA Draft and free agency.
“The most exciting thing about building a team from scratch is that you can intentionally choose your players,” Nakase said. “I inherit nothing.”
The Valkyries’ inaugural roster includes four WNBA champions. — Center Temi Fagbenle and forward Cecilia Zandalasini.Minnesota Lynx2017); Center/Forward Illyana Rupert (Las Vegas Aces2022) and forward Kayla Thornton (new york liberty2024). Expansion teams have not had much success in their first seasons in recent years, but — that Atlanta Dream In his first season in 2008, he recorded 4 wins and 30 losses. chicago sky They had a 5-29 record in 2006. — Nakase is looking forward to the team’s championship experience and early competitive ability.
“What we’re looking for is not just technique. I’m looking for a very competitive player. I’m looking for a player who can jump on the floor and grab a rebound,” Nakase said. “High quality. I wonder if he’s picking up his teammates or giving them high fives. He always puts the team before himself. It’s a mindset that he’s never satisfied with.”
Nakase has always had a chip on his shoulder. The 5’2 guard wasn’t often recruited out of high school. She received a full scholarship to UC Irvine, but ultimately turned it down and went to UCLA. After recovering from a knee injury, Nakase served as a starting pitcher for three seasons, averaging 5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
Nakase played two seasons in the now-defunct National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) with the San Jose Spiders (2005) and San Diego Siege (2006). She competed overseas in Germany (2007-08) before another knee injury ended her career. Nakase transitioned into coaching and had brief spells in Germany and Tokyo before joining the Clippers in 2012 and the Aces in 2022. She learned something from each coach.
“Tyron Lue taught me that you have to be able to communicate with every player,” Nakase said. “The best thing (Becky Hammon) taught me was to coach with an open mind. She has a really big heart. When I talk to her, I lean into her and say anything because of the way she does it. “We quickly agreed with the Las Vegas Aces because it’s important to approach everything with an open mind.”
The Valkyries haven’t hit the floor yet, but they’ve already garnered buy-in from their fan base. The team surpassed 15,000 season ticket deposits by July, becoming the first team in women’s sports history to surpass that number, the team announced. By November, ticket deposits for the Valkyries had surpassed 20,000.
“Imagine being on the field. It’s unreal. Even before the expansion draft, I would just walk around and say, ‘Oh my god, I’m the coach of the Valkyries,'” Nakase said. “Do you think they recognize me?”
The Valkyries oppose this. Los Angeles Sparks May 16th.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. Golden State Valkyries coach talks about ‘never being satisfied’ mentality in the WNBA.
