Natalie Nakase

Natalie Mitsue Nakase (born April 18, 1980) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). After retiring as a player, she was a head coach for both men's and women's professional teams. Nakase was later an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). She then won two WNBA championships as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces in 2022 and 2023, and one as a head coach for the Golden State Valkyries in 2026. In 2025, she was named the WNBA Coach of the Year in her first season with the Valkyries.