Quick Info
| Profession | Basketball coach |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 1980 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
Latest News about Natalie Nakase
The Golden State Valkyries hosted Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. Nakase, in her second season as head coach, asked the home fans to create a hostile atmosphere to support the team.
The Golden State Valkyries completed a semifinal sweep of the Las Vegas Aces with an 87-77 overtime win in Las Vegas. The result sent Nakase's team to the 2026 WNBA Finals, where she previously won two titles as an assistant with the Aces.
Nakase briefly collapsed on the sideline during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the opening playoff round against the Dallas Wings at Chase Center. She was helped up, coached the rest of the game, and the Valkyries won 77-73, and she later attributed the episode to exhaustion and called it a wake-up call to prioritize her health.
Do you like Natalie Nakase?
You can vote only once.
93% like · 7% dislike
Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Natalie Nakase is an American basketball coach and former player who is head coach of the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA. She is the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history and was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year. |
|---|---|
| Notable Milestones |
|
Educational Qualification(s)
| Bachelor of Science | Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
|---|---|
| University Basketball | Walk-on women's basketball player at UCLA, 1998-2003; starter and team captain for three seasons |
Relationships & More
| Professional Mentor | Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces head coach under whom Nakase served as assistant from 2022 to 2024 |
|---|
Career
| Playing Career | Played professionally after graduating from UCLA |
|---|---|
| Coaching Career |
|
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Spent 10 seasons across various capacities with the Los Angeles Clippers before joining the Las Vegas Aces | |
| 2. Was the first woman to serve as head coach of the Saitama Broncos' league in Japan | |
| 3. Collapsed briefly on the sideline during a 2026 WNBA playoff game, attributed to exhaustion |
Social Media