Valkyries Head Coach Makes History and Inspires Young AAPI Athletes

WNBA’s first Asian American head coach reflects on a historic season, identity and often being the 'only girl'

Natalie Nakase, the WNBA’s first Asian American head coach, is channeling the spirit of a Valkyrie woman warrior as the season gets underway Friday.

Golden State Valkyries to make historic WNBA debut

Historic firsts will take place Friday night in San Francisco as the Golden State Valkyries begin their inaugural WNBA season at home against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Valkyries are the WNBA’s first expansion team in 17 years, and their head coach, Natalie Nakase, is the first Asian American coach in the league. “I see it as a big responsibility to open doors for everyone else,” Nakase told NBC Bay Area. “The first is not about me. It’s about …

Valkyries head coach makes history and inspires young AAPI athletes

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who is Japanese American, is the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA.

Golden State Valkyrie waive Kaitlyn Chen ahead of 2025 WNBA season - Focus Taiwan

San Francisco, May 14 (CNA) Kaitlyn Chen (陳紫柔), the first Taiwanese-American basketball player drafted by the WNBA, has been waived by the expansion Golden State Valkyries on the eve of the San Francisco-based team's inaugural season.

Who needs draft picks? The Valkyries' 2025 roster won't feature any of theirs - The San Francisco Standard

With Friday's season-opener looming, Natalie Nakase's team waived Kaitlyn Chen, Laeticia Amihere, and others.

WNBA – The Golden State Valkyries make their big debut in WNBA this Friday with a coach, Natalie Nakase, who knows basketball at the fingertips. In 2014,... Read more »