(KRON) – After leading the first inaugural WNBA team to the playoffs, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has received the Coach of the Year award, the league announced Wednesday.
Valkyries General Manager, Ohemaa Nyanin, called Nakase a “fierce leader.”
“[Nakase’s] core philosophy of connectivity and emphasis on high character has created an environment where everyone can thrive,” said Nyanin. “Her unique approach to leadership and ability to hold players accountable with care while staying true to her values has been remarkable.”
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Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase attend a WNBA expansion draft event in San Francisco on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) -
FILE – Golden State Valkyries WNBA head coach Natalie Nakase waves before an NBA preseason basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings in San Francisco, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Nakase isn’t the only Valkyrie making history. Veronica Burton earned this year’s Most Improved Player award, and Kayla Thornton was selected as a WNBA All-Star.
More than 50 votes ranked Nakase as the top option. The next coach with the most votes was the Atlanta Dream’s Karl Smesko with 15 votes.
The Valkyries finished the regular season fifth in the Western Conference (23-21).
The GSV faces the Minnesota Lynx Wednesday night in the Bay Area in a “do-or-die” elimination game.
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