How Natalie Nakase and Becky Hammon Turned Grit into Greatness

When the Golden State Valkyries take on the Las Vegas Aces, it’s not just a clash of rosters, but  a battle between two of the most compelling coaching stories in basketball. Natalie Nakase and Becky Hammon may be on opposite sidelines now, but they share a lineage defined by grit, intelligence, and the relentless will to defy expectations.

Both women began their basketball journeys as undersized guards; Nakase standing just 5’2”, and Hammon at 5’6”. And both learned early that talent alone wouldn’t be enough; they

would have to outwork, outthink, and outlast everyone else.

For Nakase, that journey began at UCLA, where she walked on and earned her way to the starting point guard role. Despite tearing her ACL twice and never playing professionally in the WNBA, she carved a path in international leagues before becoming the first female head coach of a men’s team in Japan. Her coaching career would eventually land her an assistant role with the Clippers, then the Aces under Hammon, and now she’s the inaugural head coach of the expansion Valkyries.

Hammon’s story is equally improbable. Undrafted in 1999, she blossomed into a six-time WNBA All-Star and became one of the most respected players in league history. Her transition into coaching broke barriers, as she joined Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs staff before returning to the WNBA to lead the Aces to a title, and mentor coaches like Nakase, and Tyler Marsh (head coach of the Chicago Sky) along the way.

What makes this matchup special is not just their shared past, but how it’s echoed in their coaching philosophies. Nakase’s Valkyries are defense-first, resilient, and deeply accountable—values she developed while under Hammon’s wing. Meanwhile, Hammon’s Aces still reflect her floor-general background: tough, calculated, and unapologetically demanding.

When the two teams meet, it’s not just a tactical showdown, but a story of legacy, mentorship, and the power of belief. Undersized as players, these two coaches now stand tall as leaders redefining what success looks like in women’s basketball.