The WNBA preseason has commenced with the Golden State Valkyries showcasing their new court at Chase Center. Under the leadership of Natalie Nakase, the team's first Asian American head coach, the Valkyries aim to make an impactful debut in the league. Nakase's journey from a walk-on player at UCLA to a prominent coach highlights her resilience and determination. The inaugural roster also includes notable talents such as championship-winning UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen. Nakase hopes to inspire and redefine perceptions of Asian American women's leadership in sports.
That focus and grit is what led to Nakase, 45, to going from being a walk-on at UCLA to team captain as a 5-foot-2 freshman in 1998.
If I hear one negative thing about my goal, about my dream, it's out, we're done. It made my circle really small, but it's made my circle really powerful.
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