Valkyries Coach Makes Honest Admission About Facing Chicago Sky Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 11:04 PM ET

As Natalie Nakase, hired by the Golden State Valkyries in October 2024, prepared to face Tyler Marsh, the Chicago Sky’s first-year head coach, she was reminded of the time they spent together under Becky Hammon in Vegas.

Both proteges of Hammon, Nakase and Marsh helped guide the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023.

When asked about the "uniqueness of being first-year head coaches at the same time and not calling each other opponents," Nakase tempered the moment with nostalgia.

"It’s awkward, to be honest, to call each other opponents. When you win two championships and spend that much time together… you learn a lot. You end up really becoming family," she said, recalling late-night texts and shared meals under the Aces banner.

Yet, she added, "At the same time, we’re here to do a job. This is business, and we’re here to win."

Valkyries HC Natalie Nakase also emphasized her and Tyler Marsh’s close coaching relationship:

“It’s a little awkward to be honest to call each other opponents… when you spend that much time together, you end up becoming family.” https://t.co/GGZ8BcE3G1 pic.twitter.com/Z3Tckk8LLn
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) June 28, 2025

Marsh, who completed his playing days at UAB and Birmingham-Southern before embarking on a coaching path, cut his teeth in the G League and NBA, with the Toronto Raptors (2019 NBA champion) and Indiana Pacers, before joining the Aces in March 2022.

Nakase, meanwhile, spent time coaching overseas in Germany and Japan before working with the Agua Caliente Clippers (G League) and Los Angeles Clippers as an assistant, and eventually the Aces from 2022 to 2024.

Coming into the game, the Valkyries had defied expectations with a .500 record (7-7) in their inaugural season, while the Sky have struggled to find consistency, boasting a 4-10 record and the league's second-worst point differential (-10.2).

With both teams on opposite sides of the standings, Friday’s meeting at Chase Center offered more than your typical midseason contest.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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