SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area is welcoming a new era of professional women’s basketball with the launch of the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest expansion franchise. With their inaugural season tipping off in May 2025, excitement is swelling, not just for the team's arrival, but for the leader at its helm. Natalie Nakase, a trailblazing coach with roots in both Southern California and Las Vegas, is taking charge as the Valkyries’ first-ever head coach. Known for her relentless work ethic, cross-cultural perspective, and ability to connect with athletes on and off the court, Nakase represents a powerful fusion of tradition and innovation.
Born in Anaheim and raised in Huntington Beach, Nakase was a standout at Marina High School, where she earned Orange County Player of the Year honors. At UCLA, she became a three-year starting point guard and earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention in 2002. Her playing career then took her overseas to Germany before a knee injury ended her time on the court. That pivot, however, marked the beginning of a coaching journey that would take her across the globe and into the history books.
Nakase became the first female head coach in Japan’s top men’s basketball league and later broke into the NBA coaching ranks with the Los Angeles Clippers. She then joined the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces as an assistant coach, contributing to their 2022 and 2023 championship runs and helping establish the Aces as a dynasty. Her time in both LA and Las Vegas has forged valuable experience and deep connections that she now brings to the Bay.
In October 2024, Nakase was officially named the Valkyries’ head coach. She has already laid out a bold vision: bringing a WNBA championship to Golden State within the franchise’s first five years. That ambition is echoed by team owner Joe Lacob, who also owns the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. The fan base has rallied behind the team’s formation, with over 20,000 season ticket deposits secured before the season opener.
While Nakase sets the tone from the bench, the Valkyries are assembling a roster built to compete right away. Headlining the squad is veteran guard Tiffany Hayes, a former Sixth Woman of the Year who reconnected with Nakase after their shared success in Las Vegas. Hayes brings proven scoring ability, defensive grit, and a wealth of playoff experience to the court.
Joining her are dynamic rookies and seasoned veterans alike, including Iowa standout Kate Martin, who was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft and brings versatility and energy on both ends of the floor. The team is also expected to lean on players like former Connecticut Sun guard Odyssey Sims, known for her playmaking and toughness, and sharpshooting forward Kayla Thornton, whose defensive intensity makes her a cornerstone of Nakase’s system.
The Valkyries’ season opener on May 16 at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Sparks isn’t just the beginning of a schedule, it’s the start of a movement. With a proven leader in Nakase, a talented mix of veterans and newcomers, and a passionate fan base behind them, the Golden State Valkyries are ready to leave their mark on the WNBA.
