Natalie Nakase is an American professional basketball coach and former player. After retiring as a player, she served as a head coach for both men’s and women’s professional teams. In 2025, she was named WNBA Coach of the Year in her very first season with the Golden State Valkyries.
Natalie Nakase Biography
| Full Name | Natalie Mitsue Nakase |
| Nickname | Natalie Nakase |
| Profession | Professional basketball coach and former player |
| Date of Birth | 18 April 1980 |
| Age | 46 years old (as of September 2026) |
| Birth Place | Anaheim, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| School | Marina High School |
| College | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Education Qualification | Graduated |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Ethnicity | Asian-American |
| Religion | Update soon |
| @natalienakase |
Natalie Nakase Age
Natalie Nakase (Natalie Mitsue Nakase) was born on 18 April 1980 in Anaheim, California, United States. She is 46 years old as of September 2026, and his zodiac sign is Aries.
Natalie Nakase Partner
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Affairs/Boyfriend | Not publicly known |
| Spouse/Wife | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
Natalie Nakase Family
| Father’s Name | Gary Nakase |
| Mother’s Name | Debra Nakase |
| Brother’s Name | None |
| Sister’s Name | Norie and Nicola (both older) |
Career
| Early Career | High school – Marina (Huntington Beach, California) College – University of California Los Angeles (1998-2003) |
| Playing career | 2005 to 2008 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Coaching carer | 2008-present |
| Current team | Golden State Valkyries (2025-present) |
Career Highlights
As Head Coach
- 2025 – WNBA Coach of the Year
As assistant coach
- WNBA Champion – 2022, 2023
Natalie Nakase Height And Weight
| Height (Approx) | In centimeters – 157 cm In meters – 1.57 m In feet & inches – 5’2” |
| Weight (Approx) | In kilograms – 60 kg In pounds – 132 lbs |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Natalie Nakase Net Worth
American professional basketball coach and former player Natalie Nakase has an estimated net worth of around $3 million, as of September 2026. Her earnings stem from her professional basketball career, coaching position, endorsements, and various business ventures.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $3 million (as of October 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | Not known |
| Real Estate | Not publicly known |
| Income Sources | Coaching salary, endorsements, and various business ventures. |
Some Interesting Facts About Natalie Nakase
- Natalie Nakase was born and raised in Anaheim, California, to Gary and Debra Nakase.
- Her parents are both second-generation Japanese-Americans.
- She grew up in Huntington Beach, California, where she attended Maria High School.
- In 1998, she led school team won their first California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section title.
- She was named the Orange County Player of the Year by the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
- She set school records for career assists, steals, and three-point field goals made.
- Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, Nakase was not heavily recruited by college basketball programs.
- For college, she attended her dream school, the University of California, Los Angeles.
- In 2002, she earned honorable mention for the All-Pac-10 team.
- She played in the NWBL for two seasons, with the San Jose Spiders in 2005 and the San Diego Siege in 2006.
- In 2007, she tried out with the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, but was waived.
- She played one season with Herner TC in 2007-08 in Germany, where she tore her knee ligaments.
- Her father persuaded her not to return to Japan in order to pursue her dream of becoming a coach in the NBA.
- In 2017-18, Nakase was an assistant coach for the Clippers’ NBA G League affiliate.
- In 2022, she was a finalist for the head coach position of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.
- On September 20, 2022, Nakase became the first Asian American coach to win a WNBA title.
- In September 2025, she was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year.
FAQ:
How old is Natalie Nakase?
46 years old (as of October 2026)
What is Natalie Nakase’s net worth?
As of October 2026, Natalie Nakase’s net worth is around $3 million.
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