Natalie Nakase Named WNBA Coach of the Year After Historic Valkyries Season

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has been named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year, finishing a historic first season that surpassed expectations. It came as a surprise, but nothing short of impressive, as she set a new benchmark for expansion franchises.

A Record-Breaking Debut Season

Natalie Nakase Named WNBA Coach of the Year After Historic

Nakase's maiden season with the Valkyries was something she wouldn't forget. She led the expansion franchise to 23-21, which made Golden State the first WNBA expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in its first year. For comparison, the previous expansion team, the Atlanta Dream in 2008, had a 4-30 record.

According to ESPN, her leadership received 53 of 72 votes, comfortably ahead of Dream coach Karl Smesko (15 votes). Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon and Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve each got two votes.

From Assistant to Franchise Leader

Prior to becoming a member of the Valkyries, Nakase worked three seasons as an assistant coach for Hammon with the Las Vegas Aces. In October 2024, Golden State owner Joe Lacob hired her to lead his new WNBA team and created high expectations from the beginning.

Lacob reminded Nakase that she needed to succeed in five years. That challenge, and Lacob's championship-focused mentality, convinced Nakase she needed to work for him.

Even Lacob couldn't have foreseen Nakase would surpass those expectations in Year One.

Improving Players and Building a Culture

Nakase's greatest accomplishment was improving every player under her guidance. Almost all Valkyries players achieved personal bests, including Veronica Burton, who was named league Most Improved Player. Kayla Thornton was also a candidate for that award before she sustained a season-ending injury in July.

Despite the accolades, Nakase consistently deflects praise to her staff and players. She explained that the players around her allowed her to be herself, and that's the reason why she could do all things at her best.

Coaching With Passion and Authenticity

Popular for her intensity, Nakase accepts long nights of film watching, midnight texts to her assistants, and unbridled honesty to her players. While others may judge her methods as unconventional, her team has accepted them totally.

Nakase confesses that she used to consider herself more carefree, but being coached by Golden State has brought out her real edge.

The more I feel I am loved and cared about in an environment, the more I can be myself.

For those wondering why the Valkyries won't host a WNBA playoff game at Chase Center, The New York Times explains why. The Golden State hosted the Minnesota Lynx at the SAP Center in San Jose, where they lost 74-75 in Game 2 of the WNBA Playoffs Round 1. The series is now tied at 1-1.

The development traces back to Joe Lacob's decision, made two years ago, to host the Laver Cup tennis tournament at Chase Center.