Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase has been awarded the WNBA Coach of the Year award, the league announced this Wednesday. In his first year at the helm of the team, Nakase guided the Valkyries to a 23-21 record. This achievement far surpasses the number of victories obtained by the last WNBA expansion team in 2008. Golden State also became the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. Nakase received 53 of the 72 votes cast. Dream coach Karl Smesko received 15 votes, while Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces and Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx each received two votes.
Nakase added that he accepted the position with the goal of winning a championship in five years, a goal set by Joe Lacob, the team owner. After serving as an assistant coach for three seasons with the Aces, Nakase was hired by Lacob and the Valkyries in October 2024. Following a rigorous interview process, it became clear that the position was hers after her meeting with Lacob.I never aspired to this type of award, and my father taught me from the beginning that the most important thing is to win.
Nakase
Lacob made clear his five-year ambition for the WNBA team, as he has done with the Warriors, his NBA team.At first, I was obviously nervous. The culture of winning… everything he does, he sets a goal and achieves it.
Nakase
Lacob’s expectations for the Valkyries’ first season were exceeded. Almost all Nakase players finished the season averaging their personal bests, including Veronica Burton, winner of the Most Improved Player award. Before a season-ending injury in July, Kayla Thornton was also in contention for that award. Nakase always highlights the work of her staff and everyone around her.When I am challenged or presented with a good challenge, I go for it 100%… It was then that I knew I really wanted to work for this man because he has a high level of demand.
Nakase
Nakase acknowledged that she is a basketball fanatic, sending messages to her staff until 3 in the morning, watching videos for countless hours and being a self-proclaimed “MFer” with a foul mouth. She didn’t realize how this was perceived externally. It’s strange for some people. But she always feels totally accepted in Golden State.As soon as I met her, I realized how intense she is. I love it. She is very passionate in everything she does. She is very intentional and clearly cares a lot. When you have someone who is very involved and helps us, how can you not want that?
Burton
I thought it was a little more cheerful, I thought I had a smile on my face, but I’m starting to learn that I’m more intense.
NakaseThe reason I do that is because the players allow me to be myself. I am proud that they accept me for who I am. They allow me to train them hard, tell them the truth, curse them directly in the moments they need it. She continued: “The more I feel loved and cared for in an environment, the more I can be myself.”
