Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Terry Tang

Natalie Nakase is 1st Asian American WNBA head coach and unfazed by being the face of the Valkyries

Valkyries Nakase Basketball - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Don't tell Natalie Nakase she doesn't have what it takes to do something. The coach of the San Francisco Bay Area's first WNBA team got to where she is by learning to block out those who underestimated her.

“If I hear one negative thing about my goal, about my dream, it’s out, we’re done,” Nakase told The Associated Press. “It made my circle really small, but it’s made my circle really powerful and encouraging and supportive for me.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.