Golden State Valkyries Appoint Natalie Nakase as Inaugural Head Coach

The Golden State Valkyries, a newly established women’s basketball team, have appointed Natalie Nakase as their inaugural head coach. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a significant step forward as the team prepares to commence play in the 2025 season.

Nakase’s appointment was confirmed by the team’s general manager, Ohemaa Nyanin, and president, Jess Smith. This decision places Nakase at the helm of building the Valkyries’ competencies from the ground up, a process set to begin in December during the league’s expansion draft.

“For the coach, I’m just looking for a person who is unafraid to embrace the unknown, that has a history of understanding the game and just empathy and openness to grow in this space,” Nyanin said upon her own appointment as general manager, emphasizing the qualities she desired in a head coach.

Natalie Nakase brings a wealth of experience and a commendable basketball background to her new role. Her journey includes being a three-year starter at UCLA and playing professionally in the National Women’s Basketball League before injuries led her to transition into coaching. Her international coaching stints include positions in Germany and Japan, followed by a return to the U.S. to intern with the LA Clippers. Her trajectory continued upwards as she joined Becky Hammon in Las Vegas, contributing to the Aces’ success.

Becky Hammon, head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, commended Nakase, stating, “Natalie has played a huge role in our Aces’ success over the last three years.” Hammon highlighted Nakase’s attributes, including her “bright mind, relentless work ethic and ability to build relationships,” which have positively impacted the organization.

Nakase’s dedication and keen attention to detail have earned her respect from players and peers alike. Although this opportunity marks her first appointment as a head coach stateside, her prominence in coaching circles is well recognized; she was among the most sought-after candidates last season, as per The Athletic‘s anonymous poll among general managers.

The Valkyries’ ownership, spearheaded by Joe Lacob, holds aspirations for a championship victory within five years. To achieve this goal, Nakase will leverage her experience to mold the new team, fostering a promising player development framework.

As the Valkyries look to the future under Nakase’s leadership, the Aces will move forward without one of their key strategic minds, marking a notable change in both teams’ dynamics come next season.