Don’t try to underestimate Natalie Nakase when it comes to achieving her goals. As the head coach of the San Francisco Bay Area’s inaugural WNBA team, Nakase has reached her position by dismissing any naysayers along her journey.
“If anyone expresses negativity about my aspirations or dreams, I disregard it entirely,” Nakase stated. “This has resulted in a small yet powerful, encouraging, and supportive circle of individuals around me.”
Featuring unwavering determination and resilience, Nakase’s journey to prominence began as a walk-on player at UCLA in 1998, eventually becoming the team captain during her freshman year despite her petite stature of 5-foot-2. Her achievements extended when she became the first Asian American to play in the former National Women’s Basketball League by 2003.
Nakase is once again making history as the WNBA’s first Asian American head coach. This achievement compliments her impressive career as she now leads the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team newly added to the league. Moreover, the Valkyries’ roster includes Kaitlyn Chen, a championship-winning guard from UConn, who recently became the first Taiwanese American to be drafted.
Demonstrating ‘tough love,’ Nakase, who boasts Japanese heritage, remains unfazed by her increased visibility. Her experience within the Golden State Warriors organization, with which her team is affiliated, has equipped her for this spotlight, fostering a sense of assurance derived from thorough preparation. Coaching first caught Nakase’s interest two decades ago during her time with the San Jose Spiders.
For those who question Asian American women’s leadership capabilities, Nakase aims to reshape such perceptions. “The real difference is within the mind, not the external appearance,” remarked Nakase, who was often mistaken for a gymnast while at UCLA. “Criticism only fuels my drive further.”
Nakase’s leadership approach is deeply rooted in ‘tough love,’ a principle instilled by her father. While compliments were scarcely given in her family, honesty was ever-present. Her father pushed Nakase by holding her to high standards, continuously raising the bar as a testament to his belief in her capabilities. “If your expectations are here, I want to push you even higher,” she explained.
That said, Nakase doesn’t overlook the importance of supporting players off the court, emphasizing her duty to check in regularly with her team to ensure they’re doing well.
As the WNBA readies for expansion, aiming for 16 teams by 2028, Nakase becomes one of four coaches of color leading teams this season. Among her peers, three are Black, compared to six in 2022, and Seattle Storm’s Noelle Quinn is the only other female. In recent history, Latricia Trammell was the first Native American or Alaska Native to coach, although she faced dismissal from the Dallas Wings after two seasons.
While Black individuals constitute 25% of head coaches in the WNBA, 64% of its players identify as Black or African American, according to a 2023 report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. Hispanic/Latina and Asian players each constitute a smaller portion, with mixed-race athletes accounting for nearly 11%.
These developments in the WNBA coincide with a surge of interest in women’s sports at collegiate and professional levels. Prior to joining the Valkyries, Nakase spent a decade with the Los Angeles Clippers and later served with the Las Vegas Aces, helping secure back-to-back championships. The increase in engagement following these victories underscores the timing of her transition to the Valkyries’ head coach.
A renewed sense of pride and enthusiasm courses through the Bay Area’s Asian American community, inspired by Nakase’s leadership in the WNBA and the establishment of a local team. Enthusiasts like Teresa and Nathan Chan, alongside their daughters who actively participate in regional Asian American youth leagues, eagerly support the Valkyries. Adelaide Chan, aged 16, expressed excitement upon learning an Asian American woman would lead a team in their region, drawing parallels to her own involvement in similar leagues.
Seeing leaders like Nakase and Chen fostered Ashlyn Chan’s interest in the league despite her previous lack of engagement. Her father emphasized the importance of this representation, viewing it as “the most wonderful thing we could ask for,” appreciating the challenge it presents to stereotypes and the broadening of what seems achievable.
Embracing her newfound platform, Nakase contemplates how best to inspire the next generation by connecting more with coaches who can motivate younger individuals who may see themselves in her story.
“The influence of coaching will empower other young females who look like me to feel inspired,” Nakase noted.