The Golden State Valkyries hit the court for the first time ever in the team's inaugural preseason game against the Los Angeles Sparks tonight. While speaking to reporters ahead of the game, Head Coach Natalie Nakase offered a little insight into how the team feels going into the match, what they've been doing to prepare, and what she expects from the team's fans — many of whom are expected to turn out tonight to support the squad.
Here are 5 insights Natalie Nakase offered this evening:
The Valkyries are "killers"
Nakase said she can promise one thing ahead of the very first Golden State Valkyries game tonight: her team will come out with a "killer" mentality — at least, that's what she's expecting.
Nakase also echoed what she told reporters back in December when asked what she's looking for in her team. "It’s not just a skillset we are looking for. I’m looking for ultra-competitive. I’m looking for that player that is diving on the floor and getting the rebound," she explained.
Music has been a huge part of the Valkyries' locker room
Nakase also offered a little insight into what the Valkyries' locker room has been like during training camp, and it turns out music has been a huge unifier for the team and coaching staff.
This was also true Tuesday morning at shootaround, which Nakase said was treated "like a little bit of a practice." Music was loud and players were dancing, including the international athletes on the team ("They're all really great dancers," Nakase also said).
"We've just been bonding over music," she continued. "I think it's a great way to just enjoy all the drills that we do. And then they kind of, you know, bring them together and get some great memories."
Winning will come down to finding the right units
The team's rotations will worked out as the game proceeds, Nakase revealed. While she has an idea of who is on the first, second, and third units, playing against another team will provide the opportunity to understand if and how those connections will pan out over time.
The team hasn't announced its starting rotation just yet, but we anticipate the starting five will be Tiffany Hayes (SG), Julie Vanloo (PG), Kayla Thornton (SF), Monique Billings (PF), and Temi Fagbenle (C). The team's second unit of players is almost as compelling as its first, and special attention should be paid attention to how Carla Leite and Veronica Burton compete for the back-up point guard role, how Kate Martin might jump in as back-up for Tiffany Hayes, and what kind of job Stephanie Talbot does as back-up for Billings and Fagbenle.
Fans need to bring heat
In a lot of ways, Nakase sees the fans as the team's Sixth Man. When asked what she's hoping to get from fans during the game, she responded, "Electricity" and added she hopes the arena is "so loud L.A. can't hear."
Her mentors have come through
Nakase also revealed she spent all day at the Chase Center instead of leaving after shootaround, something she likely learned from coaches she has connected with since being hired in October 2024. The team's head coach did reveal one thing every mentor told her to do: sleep! Though she said she believes she got enough sleep last night, but was advised to sneak in even a cat nap ahead of the team's big night.
This kind of respect for mentors isn't anything new for Nakase. Back in February she revealed she'd been working closely with the Celtics' Head Coach Joe Mazzulla, the youngest coach to win an NBA Championship since Bill Russell.