Golden State Valkyries' Head Coach Natalie Nakase honored as WNBA Coach of the Year following successful postseason qualification
Golden State Valkyries' Natalie Nakase Named WNBA Coach of the Year
Natalie Nakase, the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, has been named the WNBA Coach of the Year for her exceptional work in leading the team to the playoffs. This historic achievement marks the first time an expansion franchise has reached the postseason in its inaugural year.
The announcement came ahead of the Valkyries' home game against the Minnesota Lynx, adding an extra layer of excitement to the occasion. Nakase's victory was well-deserved, as she received 53 out of 72 votes from sports writers and broadcasters around the country. Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko was the runner-up for the award with 15 votes.
Nakase's journey to the top has been a personal one. She has shared that her late father Gary's influence has stayed with her since his death in 2021, and she has learned "that I do need to care about my mental health as well." Her father's dream of seeing her become a WNBA coach was a shared dream, and Nakase has been able to build a thicker skin as she goes through the healing process.
The team has known Nakase for over 10 years, as she was previously with the Clippers. Joe Lacob, owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, knew that Nakase was the right choice for the WNBA Coach position after meeting her over brunch in Las Vegas last year. He had three finalists for the position, but he felt Nakase was the best choice due to her personality, story, style, and intensity.
The Valkyries' 23 wins were a record for an expansion franchise, and the team sold out all 22 of their games at Chase Center. Despite the team's success, Nakase has expressed pride in her ability to survive and continue without constantly breaking down, despite still missing her father.
Nakase will be honoured at S Center for her achievement. Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve tied for third place in the WNBA Coach of the Year voting, but Nakase was the only candidate for the award without any votes from the runner-up, Karl Smesko.
The team is playing Game 2 of the best-of-three series at S Center because Chase Center in San Francisco was previously booked by the Laver Cup tennis event. The Valkyries will be looking to build on their success and continue their journey in the playoffs.
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