The Mindset Behind a Milestone Season: Inside Natalie Nakase’s Rise and Reign

The history-making leader behind the Golden State Valkyries’ unforgettable inaugural season just won WNBA Coach of the Year, and no one deserves it more.

Natalie Nakase / Courtesy of Golden State Valkyries

She made history. Then, she made the playoffs. Then, she was named Coach of the Year—but Natalie Nakase is just getting started.

When the Golden State Valkyries tipped off their inaugural season at Chase Center, expectations were sky-high. They had sold more than 22,000 deposits before their first game. Every home matchup this year was a sellout—unheard of in the WNBA. With a competitive roster and a Bay Area fan base ready to roar, all eyes were on the woman leading it all.

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For Nakase, stepping into the role meant stepping into the history books as the league’s first Asian American head coach. “It’s obviously a milestone that, you know, I didn’t set out for, but now, being in this space, I’m honored, and just honored to be able to impact so many people’s lives, and now I’m taking this on as a responsibility,” she tells SI Swimsuit.

The Valkyries’ magical run ended last night with a heartbreaking 75–74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 of the first round. It was a tough exit, but a fittingly dramatic close to an unforgettable debut season. There’s no doubt the team—and Nakase—will be back on the hardwood, bolder and better than ever next year.

A culture built on competition

On the court, Nakase wasted no time establishing her trademark ethos. “I think I’m building a culture through constant competitiveness, creating chaos in our environment that we enjoy and goal setting,” the Southern California native explains. “Goal setting is really important in order to continue competitive mindsets.”

Natalie Nakase / Courtesy of Golden State Valkyries

That competitive fire shows up in her definition of the ideal Valkyries player: “A truly competitive player means all heart, all hustle, with a side of blood.”

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And that energy reflects in Ballhalla, where every home game has felt like a spectacle—fans on their feet, music thumping, an atmosphere electric enough to rattle opponents and fuel her team’s historic run. Nakase feels it every night.

“It’s honestly a dream come true to have that many fans screaming, creating a hostile environment for our opponents,” she gushes. “At the same time, we are not taking it for granted. It’s an opportunity to play for those types of fans. We have the best fans in the whole world, I believe. And the main thing is, because they show out and show up for us, then we gotta show out and show up for them.”

Fashion in the tunnel, culture in the Bay

The Valkyries have certainly made noise on the hardwood, but they’ve been making waves off it, too. WNBA fashion has exploded in recent years, transforming pregame tunnels into some of the most-watched runways in sports. For players, those walk-ins are more than just outfits—they’re a stage to build personal brands, express themselves and, in many cases, bridge the pay gap with lucrative partnerships.

Golden State leaned right into that energy. To kick off the season, the team launched a first-of-its-kind partnership with Sephora, turning the Chase Center tunnel into a beauty-meets-basketball showcase.

First season. Lasting impact. Natalie Nakase is your 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year. A reflection of her vision, her staff’s dedication, and a team that took flight. @jwinery | Celebrating Milestones

Posted by Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, September 17, 2025

“I think Sephora shows up for us because as women athletes, we don’t always have to be aggressive,” Nakase shares. “You could be strong, but also you could be sexy and feminine at the same time. I think Sephora really promotes that and allows us to be our authentic self, however we want to show up.”

And, for the coach, it goes beyond just clothes or makeup. “The tunnel is an opportunity to express ourselves,” the 45-year-old recognizes. “It’s not just fashion, it’s who you are, it’s your personality, and it’s your creativity.”

That commitment to style went even further midseason when the Valkyries hosted their inaugural fashion show. Forward Tiffany Hayes, long admired for her eclectic, edgy off-court looks, stepped into the role of designer, debuting original pieces that blurred the line between streetwear and couture. Temi Fagbenle, the team’s veteran center, became one of the catwalk stars of the night, owning the runway in a custom Hayes creation.

The entire event felt perfectly in step with the Bay Area, where fans have embraced the Valkyries as more than just a basketball team.

Leadership with presence and mentorship

Nakase’s path to this moment—UCLA captain, international coaching stints in Germany and Japan, NBA G League, Clippers sidelines, two WNBA championships as a Las Vegas Aces assistant—taught her that growth never happens in isolation.

COACH OF THE YEAR. A record-setting season. A playoff berth in year one. And a staff that built it, together. @jwinery | Celebrating Milestones

Posted by Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, September 17, 2025

“My mentors are everything,” she shares. “After every win or loss, I’m getting constant feedback and criticism of what I can do better, and that really is the reason why I am where I am today: because I have great mentors who tell me the truth, but I can lean on them.”

Now, she brings that same attentiveness to her own locker room, and doesn’t take it lightly.

“I understand I have a responsibility, you know, to lead amazing 12 women athletes that deserve the best, but at the same time, it’s an impactful opportunity that I get to not only drive them on the court, but I get to drive them off the court as well.”

The Golden State Valkyries players pour water on Head Coach Natalie Nakase in the locker room after securing their spot in the 2025 playoffs. / Noah Graham/Getty Images

And at the heart of it all is joy. For Nakase, fulfillment doesn’t come from a single highlight or milestone—it’s in the daily rhythm of showing up with people who make her feel at home. She says her players and staff create an environment where she can be “authentic,” leaning into the “joy and craziness and silliness” that fuel her leadership and success.

As for advice she has for young women, especially women of color who often don’t see people who look like them in sports leadership, Nakase says: “Never give a f about the outside criticism. And be bold. Be strong. Be beautiful—no matter what.”

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