Golden State Valkyries coach highlights Caitlin Clark-led 2024 rookie class' impact on women's basketball: "Huge for WNBA"

Natalie Nakase, head coach of the 13th WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries, is optimistic about where the league is headed. Having extensive experience as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces and the LA Clippers, Nakase believes the 2024 WNBA Draft has significantly boosted the WNBA's popularity.

On Oct. 12, Nakase spoke with Front Office Sports' Colin Salao and talked about the changed image of the league in detail. When Salao asked Nakase how she felt about the last few years of the WNBA, she mentioned how the latest rookie class has helped the league to elevate.

"It's been amazing," Nakase said. "Like anytime player like Caitlin [Clark] and Angel Reese and definitely Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, I can down the line that some of these players have done really really well in their first year...that's only a positive."

"And plus you wanna welcome in really really great players because what matters is the product, what matters is what basketball is on the floor. So, the more we can bring really high talented players...that's huge for the W."

Nakase also mentioned how the greatness of A'ja Wilson on both ends of the floor and how her popularity has helped in changing the narrative around the league.

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Overview of the Golden State Valkyries' WNBA Expansion Draft

The Golden State Valkyries will finally be able to build their roster for the 2025 WNBA season as they become the league's 13th team, marking an important step in the WNBA's expansion efforts.

To build up their roster, the Valkyries will take part in the WNBA Expansion Draft. According to league rules, they can select players from all 12 teams existing teams. However, not without a caveat.

All 12 teams will have the power to protect up to six players, meaning those protected players can't be picked by the Valkyries. Moreover, the Valkyries can only choose one player who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

While this provides an opportunity for the Valkyries to build up a roster for their inaugural season, it might not make them an instant contender. There's no doubt that the existing teams will protect their top talent, and the limitation on selecting free agents further constrains their options.

There is still no information regarding which draft pick number the Valkyrie would get in the 2025 WNBA Draft. According to Bleacher Report, the last two expansion teams, the Chicago Sky and the Atlanta Dream, did not get the 1st pick in their first draft season.