Nakase, who is the reigning WNBA Coach of The Year, was asked about the recent rallies in support of Sophie Cunningham's stance in protecting women's sports.She responded by appearing to defend the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports.SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID'Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase looks on against the New York Liberty in the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on June 28, 2026.
(Getty Images)"I think just in terms of how I'm seeing it is, if I can answer, for me sports is about belonging.It’s about inclusivity.
It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self," Nakase said.The coach then referenced her ethnicity.Nakase is a third-generation Japanese-American, she previously became the first Asian American to play in the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)."I’m big on that because I have been criticized for my height, for my ethnicity.
I’ve been in those ‘you shouldn’t belong here,’ [moments] and for me I don’t want that space, especially Golden State, to ever feel like that."I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women.
So I’m all about inclusivity."CHERYL REEVE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WITH ‘TRANS KIDS BELONG’ SHIRT DURING FEVER-LYNX GAMETennis legend Martina Navratilova posted on X that the "ignorance is astounding."Nakase now joins Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve and Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama in addressing the issue in recent days.Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries speaks with Kaitlyn Chen No.2 during a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and Connecticut Sun on July 10, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)White, who oversees superstars Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, gave her answer during a pre-game press confere...