From mentor to peer: How Becky Hammon’s influence helped shape Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase

From mentor to peer: How Becky Hammon’s influence helped shape Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase

SAN FRANCISCO — Before she became the Golden State Valkyries’ first head coach in franchise history, Natalie Nakase spent her first three years in the WNBA as an assistant on Becky Hammon’s staff in Las Vegas. Nakase, 45, won back-to-back championships with Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces in 2022 and 2023. The two coaches formed a close bond that saw them create one of the most dominant teams in WNBA history. Nakase credited her time with Las Vega…