The Golden State Valkyries did what nobody could: break the playoff jinx. That’s Natalie Nakase for you. By qualifying for the postseason with a first-season team, her journey in basketball is a story of hardworking success. Born on April 18, 1980, in Anaheim, California, Nakase grew up with a relentless love for the game that propelled her from a standout collegiate guard to one of the most respected coaching figures in the sport.

At UCLA, she made her mark as a fearless point guard, leading the Bruins in assists and steals during her career from 1998 to 2002. Nakase played in the NWBL for two seasons and then in Germany (San Jose Spiders in 2005 and the San Diego Siege in 2006), but her playing career was marred by injuries. However, she didn’t stop there and shifted her focus toward coaching. Through all the ups and downs in her career, she had the steady support of her family behind her. But who are they? Let’s find out.

Who is Natalie Nakase’s father?

Behind every trailblazer stands a figure who sets the foundation. For Natalie Nakase, that figure was her father, Gary Nakase, a second-generation Japanese-American. From Natalie’s earliest years, he immersed her in basketball, making the game feel less like a hobby and more like a way of life. Gary built a sports court in their backyard when Natalie was only ten. Not stopping there, he installed floodlights so the games could carry on deep into the night.

A few years later, he added a fully equipped weight room in a white shed just beside the court. Suddenly, the Nakase home became a sporting hotspot, where neighborhood kids gathered for basketball, volleyball, and soccer. It was no surprise, then, that Natalie and her sisters Nicola and Norie were surrounded by competition and motivation.

Natalie, the youngest of three daughters, was inspired by her elder sisters and followed their footsteps, who played at Marina High School in Huntington Beach. But for Natalie, the influence of her father went beyond basketball. She often says that her father is the person she admires most. “My dad was iconic, man,” she recalled after a Valkyries practice. When people questioned her about religion growing up, Natalie had a witty reply: “Everyone always said, ‘Do you go to church?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I go to basketball church, is that considered the same thing?'”

That statement wasn’t just a clever line; it was a reflection of Gary’s impact. Basketball wasn’t just a sport in the Nakase household but a belief system. When Gary passed away in 2021, Natalie described him as her best friend in the world. To this day, his lessons shape her approach to coaching, her relentless work ethic, and the drive that continues to push her forward. But some of it also comes from her mother.

Who is Natalie Nakase’s mother?

While Gary built the courts and weight rooms, it was Debra Nakase, Natalie’s mother, who provided the emotional backbone of the family. Like her husband, Debra is also a second-generation Japanese-American. Together, they created an environment where their daughters could chase excellence.

Debra’s influence on Natalie’s journey came in quieter but equally impactful ways. Natalie often kept score during Japanese American pickup games, where Gary was a co-founder of the league. To ensure his daughters were learning the sport from every angle, Gary would bring Nicola, Norie, and Natalie to these games. “My mom said, ‘If you go play basketball two times a week, you’re taking the three little girls,'” Natalie remembered. These early moments sharpened her mind for the game as much as her skills.

Later, when Natalie transitioned from playing to coaching, Debra’s support remained steadfast. Coaching is a space where women have long faced barriers, and Natalie faced rejection, too. She once interviewed for a job, only to be told, “You should get married and have a family, and then you’ll know what it’s like to take care of people, and you’ll be a better coach.” For many, words like these would have been crushing. For Natalie, with her family’s encouragement, it became fuel. She rejected that role as the wrong fit and, with her mother’s backing, moved forward stronger and more determined.

What is the nationality of Nakase’s parents?

Gary and Debra Nakase are both American by nationality. They were born and raised in Southern California, but their identities are rooted in a powerful history. They are both second-generation Japanese-Americans, meaning their parents were Japanese immigrants while they themselves were born and raised in the United States. But the Nakase family carries a legacy from World War II. Like many Japanese-American families, they too faced incarceration.

During the war, Natalie’s grandparents were sent to the Rohwer Relocation Center in Arkansas. It was within the Relocation Center that Gary himself was born. The family’s lineage also runs deep in Orange County, where Japanese American basketball leagues shaped their community. These JA Leagues gave both boys and girls equal space on the court. Remarkably, women have played in these leagues since the 1920s, a tradition that influenced Natalie’s lifelong connection to the game.