Aces lose assistant coach to Golden State expansion team

Aces lead assistant coach Natalie Nakase is leaving the organization to become coach of the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA expansion team announced Thursday.

The move comes after Nakase joined the Aces in February 2022. It marks a homecoming to California for Nakase, who was born in Anaheim and raised in Huntington Beach.

Starting in 2025, the Valkyries will host home games against the WNBA’s 12 existing teams at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The organization’s headquarters will be in Oakland.

Like Aces coach Becky Hammon, Nakase brought years of NBA experience to the team’s revamped staff before the 2022 season. With Nakase’s help, the Aces won back-to-back WNBA championships and the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup title.

In her introductory press conference Thursday, Nakase was emotional when discussing joining Hammon’s staff. Nakase had just lost her father and Hammon was the first person to ask how she was doing as a person. That’s what made Nakase want to work for Hammon, Nakase said.

“Becky Hammon has the biggest heart that I’ve ever been around as a coach,” she added. “She opened her heart, she made everyone feel comfortable to be their authentic self. And that’s why we got that buy-in. … (I think that’s) a huge reason why we won right away in our first year.”

Hammon, in a statement provided by the Aces, said Nakase played a “huge role” in the team’s success over the past three years.

“Her bright mind, relentless work ethic and ability to build relationships with our players has had a lasting impact on not just our organization, players and staff but also throughout the Las Vegas community,” Hammon said. “We wish her the best in her next great opportunity.”

Nakase said she let Aces players know she was leaving on Wednesday night via a group FaceTime call. She credited star forward A’ja Wilson for inspiring the authentic leadership style she’ll bring to the Valkyries, and credited veteran guard Sydney Colson for bringing comedic relief amid the tearful goodbyes.

The Aces’ front office, on the other hand, has been bracing for Nakase’s exit for months, general manager Natalie Williams said Thursday.

“Golden State reached out and asked if they could speak to her awhile back. And so it’s something we’ve known is in the works.” Williams said. “That’s always something you have to worry about when there’s new franchises starting or needing a coaching spot, especially when you’re the back to-back-champ. So we knew that could come, and we’re super excited for her.”

There are three head coach vacancies in the league (Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream), and Aces assistant Tyler Marsh is another good candidate with NBA and G League experience. He indicated on Thursday that he intends to remain with the Aces.

Nakase’s next position is the latest in a trailblazing résumé, which previously saw her serve as assistant coach under Tyronn Lue for the Los Angeles Clippers’ G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers. The role capped a decade-long tenure with the Clippers.

After joining the organization in 2012 as an intern, Nakase worked her way up into a video coordinator role, then an Agua Caliente assistant. Eventually, she became the player development/assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers, a position she held for three seasons.

During her playing career, Nakase went from a walk-on at UCLA to a starter for three seasons before she became the first Asian American player in the National Women’s Basketball League when she joined the San Jose Spiders in 2003.

Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.