Natalie Nakase Appointed as First Head Coach of the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the newest franchise in the WNBA, have made a significant move by appointing Natalie Nakase as their inaugural head coach. This announcement was made earlier this week, marking a historic milestone as Nakase becomes the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA.

Nakase, who has been an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces since 2020, played a crucial role in the Aces’ back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023 under the leadership of Coach Becky Hammon. Her experience also includes a stint as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers from 2018 to 2020.

In a statement, Nakase expressed her gratitude and excitement about the new role, stating that it is a “lifelong dream come true.” She thanked team owner Joe Lacob, General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, and the Golden State front office for the opportunity. Nakase emphasized her commitment to building a winning culture of grit, hard work, and competitiveness within the team.

The appointment of Nakase has been widely praised by her former colleagues and players. Becky Hammon acknowledged Nakase’s major contributions to the Aces, while Ty Lue, the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, expressed his delight and anticipation of her success in her new role.

In addition to the coaching hire, the WNBA announced that the Golden State Valkyries will have the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. This sets a precedent for expansion teams, with fans of the Valkyries now less likely to see highly touted prospect Paige Bueckers join the team unless a trade occurs. The expansion draft, where the Valkyries will select players from existing teams, is scheduled for November 17).