Valkyries name Natalie Nakase as first head coach; was assistant coach for two-time champion Aces; brings 16 yrs coaching experience

The header picture is my poor photograph of the Valkyries brain trust: General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, new Head Coach Natalie Nakase, owner Joe Jacob, and President Jess Smith.

Live thoughts from the press conference

One thing that I haven't seen emphasized in the other press accounts is how unusually emotional this presser was. First, in theme; but also expressed in Nakase's emotional memories that continue to drive and inspire her.

There was zero talk about Xs and Os. The focus was on emotional support and inspiration for players, and their attitudes and drive.

And most notably, Nakase brought up her father's passing away (6:34) a couple of years ago, shouting him out as her best friend. She brought him up again in talking about how supportive Becky Hammon was when he died (17:20). And then again later (21:13) when talking about the pride and also responsibility of being the first Asian-American coach in the WNBA, she remembering her work in Japan and being a hero to women there; but also she discussed how her father inspired her (in a quite Tiger Dad way) to play basketball.

Finally a few stray live notes:

• Hanging out at the Valkyries press conference. Mystery announcement in 10 min. Hopefully I will be chosen as official Celebration Analyst
• [[ The Golden State Valkyries have named Natalie Nakase as head coach, it was announced today. Nakase takes the helm of the Valkyries following over 16 years of coaching professional basketball, including 10 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, and three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces. Nakase will report to Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, and begins her tenure with the team on October 21. ]]
• No word on Celebration Analyst yet
• Amusing to hear Nakase talk about her years with LA Clippers as GSW rivals and interrogating Willie Green about what the GSW secret was. (“Only hire great people.”)

Plus a followup thread from DNHQ

• Sab: Dang already poaching from the defending champs. I like it. Hopefully she wasn't too abused being on Hammon's staff. Now let's get A'ja.
• Apricot: She speaks ultra lovingly of Becky and how supportive she was. Also, she told A’ja the news last night and they both were in tears. So, A’ja to the Valks confirmed. Sydney Colson in contrast wisecracked through the news.
• Sab: Yeah Sandy Brondello seems to have a deep respect for Becky too. I don't really like what I've seen and heard as far as how Becky treats players though.
• belilaugh: If they are cool with being role players then that's fine because the team is being built around Juju Watkins
• Apricot: Going to need some draft fortune for Watkins to drop to GSV
• belilaugh: 2025 is the Bueckers draft, I've already accepted they won't get her. 2026 is the Watkins draft (or perhaps 2027), I assume they'd be eligible for the #1 pick in that draft no?
• Apricot: I think so, but I’m not positive. 1. There is a draft lottery which they would have to win and 2. The lottery is based on last two years record. Common sense says it should be based on win percentage for GSV but you never know with these edge cases.

The press release

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Valkyries have named Natalie Nakase as head coach, it was announced today. Nakase takes the helm of the Valkyries following over 16 years of coaching professional basketball, including 10 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, and three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces. Nakase will report to Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, and begins her tenure with the team on October 21. 

“Being named the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries is a lifelong dream come true,” said Nakase. “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 spent the last three years (2022-2024) as first assistant coach with the Aces, where she played a critical role guiding the team to back-to-back WNBA Championships (2022, 2023). During her tenure, Las Vegas topped the WNBA’s defensive rating charts in 2023, with a rating of 97.7. She assisted with in-game adjustments, substitution rotations, end of game decisions, time out strategies, head coach’s challenge usages, clock management and organizing the team on both ends of the court. Nakase also served as the Aces top scout for college and international athletes. With Nakase on the sideline, the Aces went 87-29 over the last three seasons, including a 19-6 mark in the playoffs. 

“Natalie is the perfect candidate to lead the Valkyries as our head coach,” said Nyanin. “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.”

Prior to her time with the Aces, Nakase spent 10 seasons in various capacities with the 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. There, she assisted then-Head Coach Tyronn Lue with in-game planning on offense and defense, and assisted with player development and defensive scouting reports.  

Nakase got her coaching start in 2008 with the Women’s Professional Basketball German League, serving as head coach for the Wolfenbuttel Wildcats for two seasons (2008-10). She then served as an assistant coach for the Tokyo Apache for one season (2010-11) in the Men’s Professional Basketball Japan League, followed by acting as head coach for the Saitama Broncos from 2011-12, making her the first woman to serve as head coach in the league.

Nakase was a walk-on women’s basketball player at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1998-2003, where she played her way into the starting lineup and served as team captain for three seasons. A native of Los Angeles, she graduated with her bachelor of science in psychology. After graduation, she played professionally for two years in the National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) with the San Jose Spiders and San Diego Siege. Nakase also competed for one season in Germany, where she suffered a career-ending knee injury in 2008. 

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on October 5, 2023. Originating from Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike. This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.