If you could pick an anthem for your favorite WNBA team, what would it be? Think critically. What captures their vibe, their aura, the way they compete on the floor and make an impact off the hardwood? When Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin pulled up to our office shortly after the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft, we knew we had to ask the Ws newest franchise that very question, which well admit was inspired by the fact that Kendricks new album had just dropped, too.
Their answers might surprise you. For Nyanin, its a soulful jam: Rise Up by Andra Day. Its a spiritual experience when I hear that song, she says. I think theres something to be said about embracing the unknown and just rising. We talk about the Valkyries ascending, and I think a synonym of ascending is rising. So, I think that the Valkyries will rise to the occasion and I cant wait for everybody else to see what weve got going on.
Nakases pick is just as soulful, but with a little more swagger.
My number one go-to when I walk into the gym, what I want to hear is Rihanna. I need to hearIm going to say it [and] yall can bleep it: B-tch Better Have My Money. Let me emphasize: B-tch Better Have My Money. Lets get paid, ladies.
You can sense the energy and excitement in their eyes, knowing that they have the chance to form an entirely new identity and a team that will only continue to grow the WNBA and womens sports. But we had a couple more questions for them, too, specifically about what we can expect from the Valkyries now that theyve selected 11 players for their roster (the team did not select anyone from Seattle), as well as the women who will be leading a franchise for the very first time in their careers (Nyanin was an assistant GM on the Liberty prior to joining Golden State).
Its a bit of unchartered territory for everyone; the last time the W expanded was in 08 with the Atlanta Dream. When the League announced on October 5, 2023, that it was expanding to Golden State (since then, it also unveiled plans to expand to Toronto, welcoming the Tempo as its 14th franchise), it came with the chance to set a precedent and to build an entire organization from the ground up. From hiring Nakase, who spent three seasons as an assistant coach on the Las Vegas Aces and 10 seasons with the L.A. Clippers prior to that, to the entire front office, which has worked endlessly to create an entire identity, culture, logo andfinallya roster that includes seven international players, four former champions and a handful of exciting names, Golden State has placed itself in a prime position to enter the W ready to go on Day 1. And keep in mind, theres still free agency and the 2025 WNBA Draft, where the Valkyries have the fifth, 17th and 30th picks.
But how exactly do Nakase and Co. plan on leading this team and making it a competitive championship contender? After all, thats always the goal, isnt it?
It starts with the three non-negotiables Nakase has for each player, as she tells us: Ultra-competitive, high character and have a never-satisfied mindset. By that I mean, when you play, you gotta play like your life depends on it. Win or die, basically. Thats what were looking for.
Immediately after her introductory press conference in October, Nakase got to work assembling the teams roster. As a former video coordinator and a mentee of Becky Hammon (whom she says has the biggest heart) and Tyronn Lue (a savant of basketball with an IQ [that] is off the roof), Nakase loves diving into film and breaking the game down. Thats exactly what she, Nyanin and Vanja Cernivec, the teams Vice President, Basketball Operations, did when deciding who to draft.
My starting point with building this team really was to go back and reflect on all the players
I had a feeling were going to be possibly on the list for expansion, says Nakase. Right after my
press conference, we got together and Im like,OK,show me the list. I want your list, my list, I want Ohemaas and Vanjas.We collaborated, we discussed and got down to one or two players that we actually agreed on [and then] it was like,OK, go watch more film.And we just kept doing that over and over, and then from there it was like,Lets settle in.But then, I might throw in a wrench and be like,I like this idea, I like this player.There were a lot of, we like to say passionate conversations that went on during this draft process, but also honest collaboration is how wed word it. It was really greatand at the end of the day, we have 11 competitive players that fit our culture.
Nakase emphasizes that shes looking for a team that can hold its own defensively, play fast and space the floor, play the right way, work on execution and focus on the little details of the game. And as a coach, she wants to bring a sense of honesty and openness to her players, too.Im a truth tellerMy dad was a straight shooter. If I was messing up, he would let me know, but he also coached with love and passion, too. If I struggled, he was there, and I got to lean on him. Its a combination of both. Im a truth teller, and Im also going to open my heart and let my players pour into me, but at the end of the day, Im going to get the best out of them every single day.
When we sat down with Ohemaa, we learned that the vision for the franchise is centered around player empowerment. We want to make sure we continue to elevate them and their platforms of just being who they are. They love being a part of different communities, she says. Theyve had the opportunity to play in all these different countries, play in the United States or maybe not. The diverse nature of their experiences will make for a really impactful experience for Valkyries fans and for each other.
And, as Nakase explains below, each player is special in their own way, too. Golden State fans, allow us to introduce your Valkyries.
Iliana Rupert (via the Atlanta Dream): Shes a positive light, she has a great spirit about her. Whats great about Ili is she wants to learn as much as she can. My first year with her, she was like,Coach, whatever it takes, whatever you need from me Ill do.Im like,Can you space the floor and shoot threes and then just lock up defensively whether its a 2, 3, 4, 5?And shes like,Coach, I got you.
Maria Conde (via the Chicago Sky): Ooh, this girl! Watching her on film was a pleasure because she plays with so much energy and so much passion. Shes going to play hard on both ends of the court. She can space the floor, and whats really great about Maria, too, is she knows how to play with the ball and she knows how to play without the ball.
Veronica Burton (from the Connecticut Sun): We know shes a hard worker, she seems to play the game with joy and wants to be good at it. Those are the things we want in our players. Ohemaa via Swish Appeal
Carla Leite (via the Dallas Wings): Twenty years old but does not play like a 20-year-old. Shes a point guard, shes poised, she can space the floor with that three and she can shoot off the dribble and off the catch. With all that already, shes only 20 but she has so much potential to grow and become a really dominant player in the W.
Temi Fagbenle (via the Indiana Fever): Temi killed us when I was with the Las Vegas Aces. Down the floor, shes one of the most electrifying athletes that Ive ever seen before. I had to have a special defense for Temi. Defensively, shes a rim protector, shes a rebounder and I would not want to go against her in the paint.
Kate Martin (via the Las Vegas Aces): Kate Money Martin is a culture-changer. When she walks into the building, you can feel her energy, you can hear her energy because shes going to be talking; [shes] just a great human being. She can defend, she can space and shoot the three. But people are always going to feel Kate every day when they walk into the building. I just cant wait to reunite with Kate.
Stephanie Talbot (via the Los Angeles Sparks): She is a veteran that just knows how to play basketball. She has a high IQ, and shes a player thats [like],Im willing to do anything, Coach.She can post and make decisionsher competitive fierceness is something Im really looking forward to.
Cecilia Zandalasini (via the Minnesota Lynx): I cant wait. Shes a sharpshooter. Whats special about Cecilia is she can sprint to run routes. Were looking for her to catch and shoot threes, off the dribble, her length, defense and versatility is going to be unbelievable and more importantly, she has playoff experience.
Kayla Thornton (from the New York Liberty): My champion. I cant wait to coach her, she stepped up in big minutesthose are vital minutes that you cant replace, so I cant wait for her to defend, lock up, offensively she can space the floor, she can handle it and make quick decisions. Shes going to be such a crucial part of the Golden State Valkyries and I cant wait to see it.
Monique Billings (via the Phoenix Mercury): High, high energy. Fierce competitor. She boards like crazy, but more importantly, with the skill I saw she was able to rebound, push it, run and finish with either hand. Im excited. I talk about pushing pace, shes going to make us even faster and faster and her personality is contagious. Shes funny, hilarious.
Julie Vanloo (via the Washington Mystics): Competitor. Ultra, ultra competitor. She fits the three non-negotiables: ultra-competitor, high character and she definitely has a never-satisfied mindset. She said,I cant wait to come and more importantly, youre not going to be disappointed.Thats a player that I cant wait to see.
