Very few coaches have had the privilege of gaining fans’ trust in the first year of coaching in the WNBA. And Natalie Nakase has undoubtedly shone brightly with her impressive tactical display. The Golden State Valkyries coach has been pretty much active outside of her team’s coaching. Nakase recently spoke about the WNBA’s widespread injury problems. And while she is clearly the frontrunner for the Coach of the Year, Nakase recently got a major boost.
The Valkyries’ head coach has been phenomenal in her approach. The manner in which Nakase has held her team together has derived praises from a lot of critics. And with the team qualifying for the playoffs, her value just got increased a bit further.
Golden State Valkyries Coach Natalie Nakase Might Outshine Her Peers
When the league started, most of the critics did not give Valkyries the nod. As an expansion team, ESPN predicted that the Golden State would be the worst team this year. And that was not all. The Athletic, too, did not rank them any higher than the third-worst. But surprisingly, things turned out in a very different manner. Owing to Nakase’s shrewd tactics, the Valkyries have now qualified for the playoffs.
In a recent report from SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell, the choices for the Coach of the Year were listed in detail. And, pretty much likely, Dalzell chose Nakase as his top pick.
Justifying his pick over the other high-profile names, Dalzell noted, “But, while Reeve, Hammon, and Smesko have all put together coaching seasons to be proud of — and deserve to be recognized — this award typically favors those who exceed expectations and maximize a roster with limitations. As such, Nakase — who led a team full of bench players and overseas players to the playoffs — is the no-brainer selection here.”
Coach of the Year isn’t just a title. It’s a season of record-breaking wins, defensive dominance, and a franchise built from scratch — and Natalie Nakase is directing it all.
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 30, 2025
For your consideration @WNBA Coach of the Year, Natalie Nakase. pic.twitter.com/HVVG14lECL
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The report also stated the change in players’ mindset after Nakase took over the reins. For example, Veronica Burton looked pretty solid and joyful, which was missing all these years. Moreover, rookie stars Janelle Salaun and Carla Leite did not appear to have any jitters playing for the first time. Meanwhile, despite all the praises, the Valkyries’ head coach wants to keep a calm head. Nakase recently explained why she won’t let her girls celebrate much. She also extended a heartfelt tribute to her father, who passed away recently.
Natalie Nakase Admits Missing Her Dad Amidst Flurry Of Praises In WNBA
Nakase had a very strong bond with her father, Gary Nakase. In an unfortunate turn of events, her father passed away in 2021. And till now, she cannot get over his shocking demise. And while she has been getting all the praise for her excellent WNBA antics, the Valkyries head coach is missing her father. Breaking down in an emotional interview recently, the Valkyries’ head coach wished how badly she wanted to be by her father’s side.
“What have I learned about myself this season? That I do need to care about my mental health as well. There have always been moments when I’ve wanted to call my dad. I am a little bit proud I’ve been able to survive… normally I tear up, I do cry, and I miss my dad, but there are moments where I’ve been able to hang in there and talk to my dad out loud. Or usually I break down,” said Nakase.
Well, with a heavy heart, Nakase will be guiding her team in the playoffs. And while she will be aiming for higher success, fans are eager to see how things pan out.