"According to ESPN's Kendra Andrews, the Valkyries have been the biggest surprise of the WNBA this year, and their accomplishments start with Nakase. She'll be the last one to take credit, always saying her staff has allowed her to succeed and that her players are the ones on the court."
"Speaking of Burton, she has had a phenomenal year. She is one of just five players to average at least 10 points, 5 assists and 1.5 made 3-pointers per game (alongside Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Skylar Diggins). Andrews say she is the only player with three games with at least 10 assists and zero turnovers, and became the first player in league history to have 24 points, 14 assists and zero turnovers in a game in late August."
"Nakase has also led the development of players such as Burton and Thornton and international rookies like Carla Leite. Golden State has wildly outperformed expectations and is now the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its first season."
Natalie Nakase earned Coach of the Year and Veronica Burton earned Most Improved Player. The Golden State Valkyries became the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in their inaugural WNBA season. Nakase established a defensive identity that produced a fourth-best defensive rating (99.9) and the fewest opponent points allowed (76.5). Nakase guided development of players including Burton, Kayla Thornton and rookie Carla Leite. Burton averaged at least 10 points, 5 assists and 1.5 made three-pointers per game, recorded multiple 10-plus-assist games with zero turnovers, and posted a 24-point, 14-assist game with zero turnovers.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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