The Golden State Valkyries have been on a roll this year. While the athletes have certainly stepped up to ensure smooth sailing, one major factor in the Valkyries’ success has been Natalie Nakase. For the first time in the WNBA, Nakase has been proactive in coaching. From getting involved in the game to questioning Janelle Salaun’s ejection, Nakase has done it all. And she is doing all this without expecting any personal accolades.
The Golden State Valkyries currently hold the seventh spot on the table. With 19 wins and 18 losses, the team is looking towards a playoff spot. And all of these have earned Nakase a lot of praise. Surprisingly, she remains seemingly unbothered.
Natalie Nakase Not Keen On Receiving The Coach Of The Year Award
The Valkyries’ head coach only has one mission this year. To make her team qualify for the playoffs. And en route, she also demanded that the WNBA give an award for the coaching staff. Speaking about how she is currently a frontrunner for the Coach Of The Year award, the Valkyries head coach looked quite uninterested.
“No one really cares (about her Coach of the Year trophy), honestly. I’m just being deadass our goal is to make the playoffs. To think about it, it should be Coaching Staff of the Year. I’m not doing the scouting on my own, I’m not doing the player development on my own, I’m not doing the filmwork… Credit to my staff,” said Nakase.
I floated the question of Coach of the Year to Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase.
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) August 27, 2025
“Nobody cares about that. Honestly. I’m just being deadass our goal is to make the playoffs.”
She did suggest the award should be changed to a different title:
“It should be coaching staff of the year.” pic.twitter.com/4kVSiHy0A6
Surely enough, Nakase might not be keen on receiving an award, but she has done a phenomenal job with her team. Valkyries have toppled heavyweight teams like the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces. However, amidst all the glitz, Nakase has not forgotten to complain about the WNBA officiating.
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Natalie Nakase Is Vocal About The WNBA Officiating Fiasco
The Valkyries’ head coach is an active one. Moreover, she has never shied away from sharing her take on all things basketball. Only recently, Nakase urged the WNBA to expand its rosters. She also took a dislike to how things were going with the WNBA officiating. This year, the officiating has drawn quite a lot of criticism from athletes and coaches alike, and Nakase became the latest to join the list of disappointed ones.
“If Jackie Young is shooting a jumper and then, yeah, we touch her. That’s fine. But if a Carla Leite shoots a jumper and she gets touched by Jewell Loyd, you’ve got to tell me what is the reason…You guys saw the game. It was the same shot, and the consistency of the calls is not the same,” said Nakase.
Surely, Nakase had her examples ready. And with the Valkyries’ head coach looking pretty solid, the team, too, is surely benefiting. Surprisingly, despite Nakase not being interested, she might actually end up getting the Coach Of The Year if Valkyries can manage a decent run this season.