Latest news with #Nakase
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why are international players flocking to the WNBA?
NEW YORK — For a few minutes after a shootaround, Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase sat on the sideline with French guard Carla Leite beside her. Nakase demonstrated different hand motions and signaled to her 21-year-old rookie guard. Looking to bridge a communication gap as much as possible, Nakase recognized Leite as a strong visual learner. 'Sometimes, it's not easy for me to speak,' Leite said. Advertisement More than any other WNBA franchise, the Valkyries roster is a global tapestry. Leite, who said her English is improving every day, is just one part of that. Golden State's opening night roster featured players from six countries. 'I have to learn French is what I've learned,' Nakase said. French is the Valkyries' unofficial second language. Rookies Janelle Salaün and Leite are natives of France, and guard Julie Vanloo, who is Belgian, speaks French fluently. Vanloo said she is 'available if needed' to translate. Rookie center Kyara Linskens, another Belgian, downplayed her French proficiency, though when asked by Nakase if she could speak the language, Linskens replied: 'un petit peu.' Translation: a little bit. (Perhaps Linskens is underselling her knowledge.) Some Valkyries assistants are even learning to count in French to connect with players. Advertisement While Golden State is the WNBA's newest and most worldly team, it isn't alone in its international presence. The number of foreign-born players in the league has continued to increase. At the start of this season, the league had 34 players born outside the U.S., up from 25 at the beginning of the 2023 season. Among this season's group, 18 were in their first or second WNBA seasons. A new generation of international players is showing newfound interest in the league — and vice versa. Twelve new roster spots for the addition of Golden State as an expansion franchise were only part of the surge. According to interviews with more than 10 players, executives and coaches, the WNBA's growing global presence, engaged fan bases, increased ownership investment and expected forthcoming salary increases also contribute to its growth. 'You're seeing more and more international players, more Europeans, wanting to come here and play because it's the most competitive league in the world,' said Cecilia Zandalasini, a Valkyries wing and native of Italy. Advertisement Since its inception, the WNBA has maintained a global presence, with the number of international players peaking in the early 2000s, when the league had three more teams than it does today. However, as the initial fanfare wore off and the league underwent a turbulent period, the number of foreign players declined. At the start of the 2011 season, the league had just 15 foreign-born players due to national team commitments, limited financial incentives, role adjustments and a desire to rest during the summer, which became some of the reasons the WNBA wasn't always the top choice for international players. Some of the world's most decorated European players of the last 15 seasons — Alina Iagupova, Alba Torrens and Laia Palau — never played in the WNBA. Yet, amid a period of transformational growth, international player interest has also increased. The WNBA is broadcast in more than 24 languages this season, up from 16 in 2022, with players tuning in to see packed arenas. (League attendance in 2024 was up 48 percent year-over-year, the highest mark in 22 years.) 'With the (increased) visibility of the league, it does make more sense that more girls would want to aspire to make it to the league,' said Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, who is American-born but grew up in the United Kingdom. Advertisement Exposure takes different forms. Fagbenle loved tennis and didn't watch a WNBA game until she was 14. But soon after seeing her first game, reaching the WNBA became her goal. Sevgi Uzun, a Turkish guard who began the season with the Phoenix Mercury, turned pro at 16 and started practicing alongside WNBA players who competed in her native country during their offseasons. Although no Turkish women's basketball players were in the WNBA when she grew up, Uzun, as a developing prospect, received consistent encouragement from WNBA players about her potential ceiling. 'Kayla McBride was the very first one who told me you're different, you can do something,' Uzun said. (McBride first played in Turkey in 2017.) Multiple league executives also cited the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which both France and Belgium pushed the American team, as another demonstration of the high-quality international player pool. In recent years, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has discussed the desire to globalize the WNBA. Over the last decade, the league has had only three All-Stars born outside the U.S. (Australian Liz Cambage, Emma Meesseman from Belgium, and Jonquel Jones from The Bahamas). A younger generation of foreign players has taken notice of the league's global brand. Advertisement 'People are watching it more and are looking forward to being like, 'OK, this can be a goal,' ' said Mercury rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani, who grew up in Cameroon and France. By seeing Belgian guard Julie Allemand (L.A. Sparks) and French guard Marine Johannès (New York Liberty) make a WNBA impact, Akoa Makani found players she could emulate. 'I used to practice with them when they were pro in my local team, and at the time, I was looking up to them,' she said. 'When I saw them going to the W, I was like, 'We're kind of from the same place, why not (me)?' ' Johannès is among a group of international players who face a unique decision this month: continue playing for their WNBA teams or take a brief hiatus to compete in FIBA's EuroBasket tournament, which runs from June 18 to 29. Johannès sat out the 2024 WNBA season to play for France's Olympic team and will not participate in this month's tournament to remain with the Liberty. However, her New York teammates Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are competing for Germany. The Liberty's absences pale in comparison to Golden State, as Salaün, Zandalasini, Vanloo and Fagbenle will participate in the event. Advertisement Fagbenle, the captain of Team Great Britain, hopes that FIBA and the WNBA will collaborate going forward, so that players aren't forced to choose between country and club teams. 'Two major entities that I would hope would want to work together to figure out a way to make things work for the players who want to play them both,' she said. 'I'm optimistic.' Earlier this month, FIBA announced it was shifting the 2030 World Cup to late November and early December, while the 2026 World Cup is set to take place in early September, creating a potentially significant scheduling conflict for the WNBA. The WNBA may take a brief hiatus just before the 2026 playoffs, although the scheduling specifics will also need to be collectively bargained with the players' association. The league's players, including top American players, may have to make difficult decisions ahead of the most critical time on the WNBA calendar. Faced with the decision to stay or leave for this month's EuroBasket, some foreign players have elected to remain with their WNBA teams. Golden State's Linskens and Leite are staying in the U.S. to focus on their first seasons. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams will stay to compete in her first full WNBA season since 2022, and Storm rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in April's draft from France, will also continue her WNBA season. Advertisement 'I think my rookie season is important and I wanted to leave it all with the team,' Malonga said. Added Leite: 'I think everybody who is born in Europe is also now having the dream to come to the WNBA, so everybody's just super grateful.' Yet as more international players join the WNBA, an inverse situation is occurring abroad. Over the last 15 years, WNBA greats such as Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles played multiple winter seasons on professional teams in Turkey, China and Russia. However, the era of top Americans playing abroad appears to be fleeting. Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 league that debuted in January, provides players with a high-paying U.S.-based alternative. The result of American stars not going abroad is already being felt, according to first-year Connecticut Sun coach Rachid Meziane. Advertisement 'I think overseas domestic leagues are going down a little bit because there are fewer good players because the best players in the world are here,' said Meziane, who is the WNBA's first French-born head coach. Uzun spent the past season with the Turkish power Fenerbahçe, and she sees a change, too. 'It affects us, especially in EuroLeague,' she said. 'It does affect the quality of the league and the competition. But if you're gonna ask me individually, is (their presence) more important (than) their mental (health) and (spending time with) their families? I'm glad they can choose that now. They have enough power to choose that and make that decision.' Players from different continents now have more options than ever for professional play. But as it relates to the summer calendar, the pull of the WNBA appears stronger than ever before. 'Perception has changed,' said Zandalasini, who returned to the WNBA last year after a five-year hiatus. 'The WNBA is growing so fast, and there are fans definitely coming to every game everywhere, so it's more appealing as a league.' Advertisement — The Athletic This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, WNBA, Sports Business 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why are international players flocking to the WNBA?
NEW YORK — For a few minutes after a shootaround, Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase sat on the sideline with French guard Carla Leite beside her. Nakase demonstrated different hand motions and signaled to her 21-year-old rookie guard. Looking to bridge a communication gap as much as possible, Nakase recognized Leite as a strong visual learner. Advertisement 'Sometimes, it's not easy for me to speak,' Leite said. More than any other WNBA franchise, the Valkyries roster is a global tapestry. Leite, who said her English is improving every day, is just one part of that. Golden State's opening night roster featured players from six countries. 'I have to learn French is what I've learned,' Nakase said. French is the Valkyries' unofficial second language. Rookies Janelle Salaün and Leite are natives of France, and guard Julie Vanloo, who is Belgian, speaks French fluently. Vanloo said she is 'available if needed' to translate. Rookie center Kyara Linskens, another Belgian, downplayed her French proficiency, though when asked by Nakase if she could speak the language, Linskens replied: 'un petit peu.' Translation: a little bit. (Perhaps Linskens is underselling her knowledge.) Some Valkyries assistants are even learning to count in French to connect with players. While Golden State is the WNBA's newest and most worldly team, it isn't alone in its international presence. The number of foreign-born players in the league has continued to increase. At the start of this season, the league had 34 players born outside the U.S., up from 25 at the beginning of the 2023 season. Among this season's group, 18 were in their first or second WNBA seasons. A new generation of international players is showing newfound interest in the league — and vice versa. Twelve new roster spots for the addition of Golden State as an expansion franchise were only part of the surge. According to interviews with more than 10 players, executives and coaches, the WNBA's growing global presence, engaged fan bases, increased ownership investment and expected forthcoming salary increases also contribute to its growth. In a heartwarming post-game moment, Carla Leite admits her English isn't great, so teammate Janelle Salaün steps in to translate 🇫🇷 The French duo powered the @valkyries to their second consecutive win! — WNBA (@WNBA) May 24, 2025 'You're seeing more and more international players, more Europeans, wanting to come here and play because it's the most competitive league in the world,' said Cecilia Zandalasini, a Valkyries wing and native of Italy. Since its inception, the WNBA has maintained a global presence, with the number of international players peaking in the early 2000s, when the league had three more teams than it does today. However, as the initial fanfare wore off and the league underwent a turbulent period, the number of foreign players declined. Advertisement At the start of the 2011 season, the league had just 15 foreign-born players due to national team commitments, limited financial incentives, role adjustments and a desire to rest during the summer, which became some of the reasons the WNBA wasn't always the top choice for international players. Some of the world's most decorated European players of the last 15 seasons — Alina Iagupova, Alba Torrens and Laia Palau — never played in the WNBA. Yet, amid a period of transformational growth, international player interest has also increased. The WNBA is broadcast in more than 24 languages this season, up from 16 in 2022, with players tuning in to see packed arenas. (League attendance in 2024 was up 48 percent year-over-year, the highest mark in 22 years.) 'With the (increased) visibility of the league, it does make more sense that more girls would want to aspire to make it to the league,' said Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, who is American-born but grew up in the United Kingdom. Exposure takes different forms. Fagbenle loved tennis and didn't watch a WNBA game until she was 14. But soon after seeing her first game, reaching the WNBA became her goal. Sevgi Uzun, a Turkish guard who began the season with the Phoenix Mercury, turned pro at 16 and started practicing alongside WNBA players who competed in her native country during their offseasons. Although no Turkish women's basketball players were in the WNBA when she grew up, Uzun, as a developing prospect, received consistent encouragement from WNBA players about her potential ceiling. 'Kayla McBride was the very first one who told me you're different, you can do something,' Uzun said. (McBride first played in Turkey in 2017.) Multiple league executives also cited the 2024 Paris Olympics, in which both France and Belgium pushed the American team, as another demonstration of the high-quality international player pool. Advertisement In recent years, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has discussed the desire to globalize the WNBA. Over the last decade, the league has had only three All-Stars born outside the U.S. (Australian Liz Cambage, Emma Meesseman from Belgium, and Jonquel Jones from The Bahamas). A younger generation of foreign players has taken notice of the league's global brand. 'People are watching it more and are looking forward to being like, 'OK, this can be a goal,' ' said Mercury rookie guard Monique Akoa Makani, who grew up in Cameroon and France. By seeing Belgian guard Julie Allemand (L.A. Sparks) and French guard Marine Johannès (New York Liberty) make a WNBA impact, Akoa Makani found players she could emulate. 'I used to practice with them when they were pro in my local team, and at the time, I was looking up to them,' she said. 'When I saw them going to the W, I was like, 'We're kind of from the same place, why not (me)?' ' Johannès is among a group of international players who face a unique decision this month: continue playing for their WNBA teams or take a brief hiatus to compete in FIBA's EuroBasket tournament, which runs from June 18 to 29. Johannès sat out the 2024 WNBA season to play for France's Olympic team and will not participate in this month's tournament to remain with the Liberty. However, her New York teammates Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are competing for Germany. The Liberty's absences pale in comparison to Golden State, as Salaün, Zandalasini, Vanloo and Fagbenle will participate in the event. Fagbenle, the captain of Team Great Britain, hopes that FIBA and the WNBA will collaborate going forward, so that players aren't forced to choose between country and club teams. 'Two major entities that I would hope would want to work together to figure out a way to make things work for the players who want to play them both,' she said. 'I'm optimistic.' Earlier this month, FIBA announced it was shifting the 2030 World Cup to late November and early December, while the 2026 World Cup is set to take place in early September, creating a potentially significant scheduling conflict for the WNBA. The WNBA may take a brief hiatus just before the 2026 playoffs, although the scheduling specifics will also need to be collectively bargained with the players' association. The league's players, including top American players, may have to make difficult decisions ahead of the most critical time on the WNBA calendar. Advertisement Faced with the decision to stay or leave for this month's EuroBasket, some foreign players have elected to remain with their WNBA teams. Golden State's Linskens and Leite are staying in the U.S. to focus on their first seasons. Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams will stay to compete in her first full WNBA season since 2022, and Storm rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in April's draft from France, will also continue her WNBA season. 'I think my rookie season is important and I wanted to leave it all with the team,' Malonga said. Added Leite: 'I think everybody who is born in Europe is also now having the dream to come to the WNBA, so everybody's just super grateful.' Yet as more international players join the WNBA, an inverse situation is occurring abroad. Over the last 15 years, WNBA greats such as Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Sylvia Fowles played multiple winter seasons on professional teams in Turkey, China and Russia. However, the era of top Americans playing abroad appears to be fleeting. Unrivaled, the professional 3×3 league that debuted in January, provides players with a high-paying U.S.-based alternative. The result of American stars not going abroad is already being felt, according to first-year Connecticut Sun coach Rachid Meziane. 'I think overseas domestic leagues are going down a little bit because there are fewer good players because the best players in the world are here,' said Meziane, who is the WNBA's first French-born head coach. Uzun spent the past season with the Turkish power Fenerbahçe, and she sees a change, too. 'It affects us, especially in EuroLeague,' she said. 'It does affect the quality of the league and the competition. But if you're gonna ask me individually, is (their presence) more important (than) their mental (health) and (spending time with) their families? I'm glad they can choose that now. They have enough power to choose that and make that decision.' Advertisement Players from different continents now have more options than ever for professional play. But as it relates to the summer calendar, the pull of the WNBA appears stronger than ever before. 'Perception has changed,' said Zandalasini, who returned to the WNBA last year after a five-year hiatus. 'The WNBA is growing so fast, and there are fans definitely coming to every game everywhere, so it's more appealing as a league.' — The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant contributed to this report. (Photo of Carla Leite: Juan Ocampo / NBAE via Getty Images)
San Francisco Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Are the expansion Valkyries too good too soon? Let the overreaction begin
Oh no! Are the Golden State Valkyries winning too much? OK, that's probably an overreaction to the infant Valkyries' two-game win streak. But overreaction is what we do in sports, or haven't you heard that the San Francisco Giants will never win at hitter-unfriendly Oracle Park, that the Warriors ' Jimmy Butler trade was a bust because he didn't take them to the Western Conference finals and that the 49ers should have signed Sam Darnold rather than overpay Brock Purdy? Overreaction is the sports world's lifeblood and the Valkyries are now a part of bigtime sports. There's actually a small kernel of truth in the overreaction to the Valkyries' surprising 2-1 start. Expansion teams are supposed to be lousy. The WNBA's last expansion team, the Atlanta Dream who entered the league in 2008, started 0-17 on their way to a 4-30 record. The Valkyries got halfway there just a week into their first season. More For You Valkyries hold off Sparks to improve to 2-1 led by French rookies Leite, Salaün Ostler: Valkyries and their fans not willing to accept expansion team expectations In the minds of many observers, expansion teams should be lousy. The best way to build a team is with high draft picks. The WNBA didn't do the Valkyries any favors in how it set up the draft this year, giving the expansion team the No. 5 pick, while Dallas — with the first pick — landed Paige Bueckers, who is expected to be the face of the franchise for years to come. Future drafts will be key. A top draft choice will be coveted. Next spring, the top prospects are expected to be UCLA's Lauren Betts and UConn's Azzi Fudd. The biggest prize could be USC's Juju Watkins, though that could only happen if two things occur: league rules change that would allow her to become draft eligible and if she then decides to come out of school just a year after tearing her ACL. Winning too much in their first season would likely take the Valkyries out of the equation for any of those potentially franchise-changing rookies. The early assumption has been that the Valkyries would lose a lot and vie with the likes of the Connecticut Sun for the top 2026 draft choice. 'I don't think you should ever assume in sports,' coach Natalie Nakase said before the season began. 'Someone's going to lose, someone's going to win. That's the beauty of sports. So go ahead and doubt us.' Nakase clearly wants to win every time her team steps on the floor. She isn't going into games thinking about the tantalizing prospect of Watkins potentially becoming draft eligible. Under current WNBA rules, Watkins isn't eligible until 2027. In addition, because her ACL injury came during the NCAA Tournament, meaning that Watkins will miss almost the entirety of next season rehabbing, many believe she would return to USC for the 2026-27 season even if draft rules change under the forthcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement. Nakase wants to build a winning culture now, not at some vague point in the future. And, because of the historic turning point the WNBA will find itself in next offseason, Nakase's instincts are correct. Because of the new CBA, currently being negotiated and set to begin next season, almost every WNBA player will become a free agent in the offseason. That means the Valkyries will have the opportunity to land a franchise-defining player even without the top pick in the draft. The Valkyries will have the financial resources, team facilities and game-day environment to attract a big name. If they also have built what looks to be a winning culture with a coach who can get the best out of her players, that will make the Valkyries an even more attractive landing spot for established stars. All of this overreaction to the infant Valkyries' first successful baby steps may become a moot point in the coming week. The Valkyries fly east to play two games in New York, taking on the defending-champion and undefeated New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Then the Valkyries return to Chase Center to play the team the Liberty defeated in the last fall's finals, the Minnesota Lynx, who are also off to an undefeated start to the season. After starting the season with three games against soft opponents (the Sparks and the Mystics were among the league's worst last season), the Valkyries' schedule is about to get a lot harder. But the excitement over what the Valkyries have accomplished in these early days is real. Coming together with less than a month of practice, just starting to get to know each other on and off the court, the Valkyries came from behind for their first ever win beating the Mystics at home, then dominated a Sparks team that had beaten them in the season opener, for their first road win. In that game in Los Angeles, the Valkyries found a French connection with Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite, who combined for 37 points. The Valkyries excitement is real. And that is not an overreaction.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Valkyries take aim at another franchise first in visit to Sparks
With their first-ever win now in the record books, the Golden State Valkyries will go for their first-ever revenge victory when they face the Los Angeles Sparks in their first-ever WNBA road game Friday night. The Sparks spoiled the expansion Valkyries' opening-night extravaganza last Friday, riding newcomer Kelsey Plum's 37 points to a runaway 84-67 victory in San Francisco. The teams have since crossed paths in the standings as they've headed in opposite directions. While the Valkyries rebounded to beat the Washington Mystics 76-74 at home Wednesday night for their inaugural win, the Sparks dropped their home opener 89-75 to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday before also falling 89-86 on the road against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday. One difference between the Valkyries' first two outings was the WNBA debut of Janelle Salaun in Wednesday's win. The French silver medalist contributed 10 points, four rebounds and a steal in 28 minutes in her first action since wrapping up MVP honors in the Italian League playoffs last week. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase was immediately impressed. "Just having another person who can handle the pick-and-roll just gives them a lot more freedom," Nakase said of her team's offensive flow. "Trying to get to the paint is hard. It takes pressure off other players." Golden State lost Tiffany Hayes in the second quarter of the win to a nose injury that saw her taken immediately to the locker room with a towel helping to stop the bleeding. The club's top performer in the opener with 19 points did not return, and the club has not announced her potential availability for the LA game, but Nakase appeared to indicate the long-term prognosis is good. "We're just gonna wait to see how she feels," Nakase said. "I walked to the locker room , and she was the first one to open her arms and give me a big hug." With or without Hayes, the Valkyries will have to deal with Plum, whose 37-point explosion in the opener was the second-biggest scoring day of her eight-year WNBA career. She had 40 for the Las Vegas Aces in a game at Minnesota in 2023. The 30-year-old, acquired in an offseason trade, totaled 18 points in the Sparks' loss to the Lynx, then recorded her 500th career 3-pointer among 25 points against the Mercury. The Sparks were without another key player in Phoenix, with Rickea Jackson forced to sit out while in concussion protocol. Jackson was injured in the Minnesota game after contributing 13 points in the win at Golden State. Jackson's uncertain status has only added to the Sparks' injury list, which already featured Cameron Brink and Rae Burrell , who got hurt in the Valkyries game. The situation has gotten so dire, the club had to request a hardship exception in order to sign Liatu King. On the positive side, an increased opportunity has helped forward/center Azura Stevens explode from her 11-point, five-rebound effort on opening night to 21 points and six rebounds against the Lynx and then 23 points and 17 rebounds in Phoenix. "Just unbelievable," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts gushed after the loss to the Mercury. "I'm really proud of her. She's figuring it out." Field Level Media
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries coach inspires Bay Area's young Asian American athletes
There's nothing special about the basketball court at Meyer Park in Fremont, with its cracked black asphalt, fading white paint and a splintering wood backboard. But it's the court where Jordyn Yamaguchi grew up playing with her dad and older brother. 'My dad would always bring us out here and he'd bring cones and everything,' Yamaguchi, a senior at Washington High School, said as she made her way around her childhood stomping grounds. She started playing organized basketball in kindergarten. Since fifth grade she's been with the San Jose Ninjas organization, one of the many Asian American basketball leagues in the Bay Area. But despite having a tight-knit Asian American and Pacific Islander sports community, Yamaguchi, who is Japanese American, didn't often see herself represented in higher levels of the sport — until now. The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's first expansion team in 17 years, played their first regular-season game on Friday at Chase Center. Yamaguchi will be in the stands with a couple of friends and thousands of fans ready to back the new team led by Natalie Nakase, the first Asian American head coach in the league. 'It's just really huge,' Yamaguchi said. 'I feel like we're finally being seen, women and Asian Americans, through a sport, which never really was the case in the past.' As of 2023, there had only been 12 players of Asian descent since the WNBA started in 1996. Nakase, who is Japanese American, said during training camp she understands the significance of her place in history. 'I can handle being the first,' she said, 'but it's more important to me that I'm not the last.' At 5-foot-2, Nakase walked on as a point guard at UCLA. She would eventually earn a scholarship and a spot in the starting lineup. She played professionally in the NWBL before the league folded in 2007. In 2018, Nakase became one of the first female assistant coaches in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers. She then joined the WNBA in 2022 as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces. 'I didn't grow up thinking like, 'Hey, let's be a role model,' or 'Let's be someone who inspires people.' I'm honestly just following my passion. I love basketball. I wouldn't know what to do without it. I'm actually just showing the world that when you have a passion and you work really, really hard, you can do anything,' Nakase said. It's Nakase's trailblazing path that is now serving as a blueprint for young players like Yamaguchi. 'She's a great coach, she's well respected in our community. It was an eye-opening moment, seeing a girl who had a similar path that a lot of my close friends have right now and just seeing how successful she is and this big accomplishment, it's been really exciting for all of us,' Yamaguchi said. For both Yamaguchi and Nakase, the basketball communities they grew up in were about more than just playing the game on the court. Nakase said the game was a passion and love language she shared with her own dad. Her father taught her to push through obstacles and embrace struggle. Now she hopes to repay those life lessons with her players. For Yamaguchi, Asian Leagues have allowed her to connect with lifelong friends who not only share the same passion but the same background. 'We've all connected over a sport, but we've also been able to bond over culture and heritage. I've made meaningful relationships with so many Asian league coaches as well as people from teams in Sacramento and teams in L.A.' Yamaguchi will start the next chapter of her basketball career playing for Cal Lutheran at the NCAA Division III level, where she hopes to inspire the next generation of young players. 'Finally being here and having girls look to me in my community and at the next level, I just think it's really important to have confidence in yourself because you're going to get where you want to be if you just put the time and effort in,' Yamaguchi said. Until then, she'll be attending Valkyries games this season, including the season opener on Friday, cheering on her own role models. 'I've grown up going to NBA games, but never WNBA games until now. I feel it'll just be that much more personal to me just because I grew up being a girl playing basketball. Finally I can experience it at a professional level,' Yamaguchi said.
