Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase publicly expressed support for transgender women participating in women’s sports, placing inclusion and belonging at the center of her position.
Nakase made the comments during a pregame press conference on Sunday while responding to a question about the growing debate surrounding transgender athletes. Rather than discussing eligibility standards or competitive regulations in detail, the reigning WNBA Coach of the Year focused on the type of environment she wants the Valkyries to represent.
Nakase said:
“For me sports is about belonging. It’s about inclusivity. It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self. I’m big on that because I have been criticized for my height, for my ethnicity. I’ve been in those ‘you shouldn’t belong here,’ (moments) and for me I don’t want that space, especially Golden State, to ever feel like that.
“I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women. So I’m all about inclusivity.”
WNBA coach says biological men SHOULD play in women’s sports.
She compared it to being inclusive of different races.
“Sports is about belonging… I’m big on that just because I have been criticized for my height, for my ethnicity.” pic.twitter.com/JjY59GOikK
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Her remarks drew from personal experience. Nakase, who is Japanese American and stands 5-foot-2, explained that she has encountered doubts about whether she belonged throughout her own playing and coaching career. She connected those experiences to her determination to prevent others from feeling excluded within the Valkyries organization.
Nakase was named the WNBA’s Coach of the Year following Golden State’s inaugural 2025 season, during which she guided the expansion franchise to a 23-21 record and a playoff appearance. Her comments therefore came from one of the league’s most prominent coaches rather than from an outside observer.
The statement was an endorsement of inclusion, but it was not a detailed policy proposal. Nakase did not outline specific standards involving competitive eligibility, hormone regulations or the physical differences frequently discussed in the broader debate. Her message was instead that trans women should not automatically be treated as outsiders in women’s sports.
The issue remains deeply contested. Supporters of trans inclusion emphasize dignity, equal participation and protection from discrimination, while opponents raise questions about competitive fairness and opportunities for female athletes. Nakase clearly placed herself on the inclusive side of that discussion, saying that her support for women and girls also extends to transgender women.
Her comments also align with the culture Golden State has attempted to build. The Valkyries have publicly emphasized belonging and have developed a particularly strong relationship with LGBTQ+ supporters since entering the WNBA.
