4 hours ago
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase says sports are about "inclusivity" after being asked about Sophie Cunningham's latest remarks about transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
Sophie Cunningham, a second-string guard for the Indiana Fever, has made quite the splash over the last few weeks, prompting backlash from fans and triggering support from some others.
There's been much debate on whether transgender athletes belong in women's sports, and over the last few weeks, Cunningham has made it clear that she disagrees with that.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham said in a previous interview. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Nakase was asked about Cunningham's stance recently, and in her response, she said that sports are about being welcoming to all, not about excluding any one person.
#nakase #sophie
Sophie Cunningham, a second-string guard for the Indiana Fever, has made quite the splash over the last few weeks, prompting backlash from fans and triggering support from some others.
There's been much debate on whether transgender athletes belong in women's sports, and over the last few weeks, Cunningham has made it clear that she disagrees with that.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham said in a previous interview. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Nakase was asked about Cunningham's stance recently, and in her response, she said that sports are about being welcoming to all, not about excluding any one person.
#nakase #sophie
12 hours ago
The Golden State Valkyries have a tendency to struggle at the end of quarters. Coach Natalie Nakase and players speak at length about their desire for the team to play a complete 40 minutes of basketball.
Sunday's late-first half execution offered a perfect test case.
Valkyries 96, Tempo 79
FG
FT
#coach #natalie #tempo #tendency
Sunday's late-first half execution offered a perfect test case.
Valkyries 96, Tempo 79
FG
FT
#coach #natalie #tempo #tendency
24 days ago
Janelle Salaün scored 26 points as the Golden State Valkyries beat Toronto Tempo 83-75 for their sixth straight win, a franchise record and first victory over Toronto.
Golden State led 44-31 with 8:55 left in the third quarter, but Toronto responded with a 15-2 run to take the lead. Julie Allemand's jumper put Toronto ahead, and Maria Conde's 3-pointer boosted their lead. Toronto was ahead 59-57 entering the fourth, and Golden State finished on a 26-16 run to win.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said adversity has become a theme for her team lately.
"Playing through adversity has been the key. The last two games, specifically, we didn't start out really well," Nakase said. "The second unit came to life again, so credit to them for staying ready. That to me is the biggest takeaway right now. We need everybody."
Salaün shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, going a perfect 3-of-3 from deep in the fourth quarter alone. Kaitlyn Chen added 16 points off the bench, tying her career high for made field goals with seven, and Kayla Thornton had 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden State's reserves outscored Toronto's 52-20, and the Valkyries won the rebounding battle 31-23, including an 11-4 edge on the offensive glass.
Golden State led 44-31 with 8:55 left in the third quarter, but Toronto responded with a 15-2 run to take the lead. Julie Allemand's jumper put Toronto ahead, and Maria Conde's 3-pointer boosted their lead. Toronto was ahead 59-57 entering the fourth, and Golden State finished on a 26-16 run to win.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said adversity has become a theme for her team lately.
"Playing through adversity has been the key. The last two games, specifically, we didn't start out really well," Nakase said. "The second unit came to life again, so credit to them for staying ready. That to me is the biggest takeaway right now. We need everybody."
Salaün shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, going a perfect 3-of-3 from deep in the fourth quarter alone. Kaitlyn Chen added 16 points off the bench, tying her career high for made field goals with seven, and Kayla Thornton had 15 points and nine rebounds. Golden State's reserves outscored Toronto's 52-20, and the Valkyries won the rebounding battle 31-23, including an 11-4 edge on the offensive glass.
