Fever star Caitlin Clark has history with Valkyries coach

Caitlin Clark has high praise for Natalie Nakase 

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s tipoff, Clark expressed admiration for Nakase’s coaching style and leadership. The WNBA star said she valued the technical basketball discussions and strategic insights they shared during the international tournament.

“Yeah, you know, Natalie was great,” Clark told reporters. “She actually was in charge of the guards during my time with USA Basketball in Puerto Rico. So it was fun to get to know her and honestly just talk basketball with her.

“She’s a basketball junkie, and she knows the game as well as anybody. So that was really fun for me. I love asking coaches questions and getting their perspective on things because every coach is different and has different philosophies. 

 “It doesn’t mean you’re right. It doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It’s just a different way of doing things, and you try to find success any way you can.”

Clark also said she admires the determination and competitive spirit Nakase instills in her players during a demanding schedule.

“But I really admire the tenacity she gets her team to play with and the competitive fire they play with. It’s so respectable,” the 24-year-old guard said. “They come off a back-to-back, and they’re out there playing with just as much energy as we were. That’s a really hard thing to get your team to do.”

Clark also likened Nakase’s coaching style to Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who led Boston to the 2024 NBA championship.

“She knows the game really well. I know she loves the Boston Celtics. At times, I think she’s just like Joe Mazzulla, which is pretty cool,” she added.

However, Nakase’s defensive scheme stifled Clark later that evening. The Iowa native struggled from the floor, hitting only 3-of-12 shots and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. She finished with 16 points and committed five turnovers as the Valkyries kept her at bay throughout the game. With Golden State’s 90-88 win over the Fever, Indiana fell to 4-3 on the season.