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.
https://valkyries.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-announce-natalie-nakase-as-head-coach-20241010/
Natalie Nakase played SEYO Basketball for the VFW Youth Group in 1986/1987. We couldn’t be more proud of what she has accomplished and wish her the best of luck as the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries.
Her VFW Head Coach and now VFW Youth Group Board Member Don Jay, had some sweet words about her.
“Natalie was a small, quiet and attentive basketball player. Her ball-handling skill was advance, compared to players of her age.
Her father, Gary had provided Natalie with knowledge of the game to be a proficient player.
She gradually recognize her calling to be a coach during her collegiate time at UCLA.
I’m very proud of her achievement that she established the steps to become the first Japanese American head coach in the WNBA.”
Don J