The Valkyries have not even performed their first season within the WNBA but, however Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is already feeling good about the way forward for the ladies’s basketball within the Bay Space.
“I feel the Valkyries are going to be — earlier than lengthy — a flagship franchise within the WNBA,” stated Kerr, who has gained 4 NBA championships with the Warriors. “They’re constructing one thing actually highly effective. Simply want some gamers now.”
The crew not too long ago introduced the hiring of Natalie Nakase as their first head coach. She spent the final three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces as an assistant beneath Becky Hammon, and that was a really profitable stint because the Aces gained the WNBA title in 2022 and 2023.
Kerr talked extremely about Nakase’s fame and stated he preferred what he has seen from the franchise regardless of not having a roster but.
“I feel I met [Nakase] when she was with the Clippers years in the past, so I do not know her nicely, however I’ve heard nice issues. It is thrilling,” Kerr stated. “She’s obtained a fantastic fame, and [it is] fairly spectacular what the Valkyries are placing collectively with out even having any gamers but. The branding is de facto cool, the colours, the title, the people who find themselves coming in.”
Kerr additionally shared he feels good about Ohemaa Nyanin being named the Valkyries common supervisor.
“Ohemaa is a star. She’s a tremendous individual,” Kerr stated. “I’ve gotten to know her slightly bit behind the scenes. She’s constructing her group, clearly, so a variety of spectacular individuals.”
It’s clear the respect between the workers from the Valkyries and Warriors is mutual, as Nakase shared her need to study from Kerr throughout her introductory press convention final week.
“I might be a idiot if I do not choose his mind,” Nakase stated. “I might love to select his mind and perhaps simply sit in on observe and see how totally different coaches train, as a result of it isn’t nearly what you realize. It is about the way you get your gamers to purchase in and what that communication appears like. So, I am simply actually excited.
“And once more, with the legacy of the successful and the championships, that is the place I wish to be. It is a place the place I’ve at all times strived to be, as a result of I’ve at all times needed to be the perfect.”
The WNBA presently has 12 groups, however is attempting to increase to 16 by 2028. The Valkyries will turn out to be the thirteenth crew subsequent yr, making them the primary crew be a part of the WNBA for the reason that Atlanta Dream in 2008. They are going to start placing collectively a roster on Dec. 6 with the enlargement draft.
There may also be groups in Portland and Toronto becoming a member of in 2026, which means the WNBA wants only one extra crew to succeed in its aim of 16.
