Natalie Nakase becomes first Asian American head coach of a WNBA team 

Longtime WNBA coach Natalie Nakase has made history. 

Nakase, assistant coach of the Las Vegas Aces, was announced on Thursday as the head coach of San Francisco-based WNBA team the Golden State Valkyries. It makes her the first ever Asian American head coach in the league. 

Nakase, who’s Japanese American, said during a press conference that the move was a lifelong dream of hers. 

“I just remember telling myself ... I want to work for Golden State. I want to be a part of that. Fast forward nine years later, I’m sitting here, in Golden State,” Nakase said. “I’m living proof that when you work really really hard, and you stay focused on your goal, that big dreams do come true.” 

Nakase will be the first coach of the Valkyries, who were newly announced this year as an expansion of the league and will begin playing in 2025. The announcement comes after she spent three seasons with the Aces, during which she won two championships under renowned coach Becky Hammon. The departure of Nakase, who was popular among players and fans, prompted emotional responses from her team and staff. 

Hammon said in a video posted on the Aces’ social media accounts that Nakase had a “big hand in everything that we’ve done.” 

“Obviously, I learned stuff from her, and I hope she learned stuff from me that she can carry into that. But she’s going to be a great head coach because of the care factor, her perfectionism and laugh,” Hammon said. “She’ll be missed, but good things ahead for her.”

Fellow assistant coach Tyler Marsh wrote on Twitter that “even though you’re the opp now, you’re my sister for life.” 

“So proud of you & GS couldn’t have chosen a better coach or person to lead their franchise,” he wrote of Nakase. “Keep breaking barriers. I always got your back!”

Aces point guard Syd Colson also sounded off on the move, expressing her pride for Nakase. 

Nakase began her time in basketball as a walk-on player at UCLA. While she played two seasons in the National Women’s Basketball League, where she was its first Asian player, a knee injury cut her playing career short. Since, she’s coached for roughly 16 years, spending 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA, in addition to the Aces. 

Clippers head coach Ty Lue, whom Nakase once worked with, said on Thursday after the team’s practice that he was happy about the decision and “knew it was coming.” 

“I love it,” Lue told reporters Thursday. “One thing about it, she’s going to grind. She’s going to work hard and she’s a true grinder.