What sets great coaches apart? A deep sense of purpose and resilience to lead through every challenge.
Learn from coaching legends Natalie Nakase of the Golden State Valkyries and mental skills coach Graham Betchart, joined by Valkyries assistant coaches Sugar Rodgers and Sidney Parsons, for a session that will help coaches:
- Reflect on their coaching philosophy and values
- Guide athletes through setbacks and pressure
- Foster belonging and confidence across their team
About the Facilitators
Natalie Nakase
The first head coach in Golden State Valkyries history, Natalie Nakase began her tenure on October 21, 2024 ahead of the team’s inaugural 2025 season, which was one for the record books. Nakase led the Golden State Valkyries to 23 regular season wins during its inaugural year, a WNBA single-season record by an expansion team, and also became the first-ever expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. Following the season, Nakase was named the 2025 State Street Investment Management SPY WNBA Coach of the Year as well as the Associated Press Coach of the Year.
Nakase took the helm of the Valkyries following over 16 years of coaching professional basketball, including 10 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, and three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, where they won the WNBA Championship in back-to-back seasons, in 2022 & 2023. Nakase was a walk-on women’s basketball player at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1998-2003, where she played her way into the starting lineup and served as team captain for three seasons. A native of Los Angeles, she graduated with her bachelor of science in psychology.
Graham Betchart
For the past 20 years, Graham Betchart has dedicated his career to helping athletes unlock their potential as a mental performance coach, with a focus almost entirely on the world of basketball. He has had the privilege of serving as the mental performance coach for NBA teams including the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, as well as the back-to-back national champion UConn Huskies.
Early in his career, he began working with future NBA stars Aaron Gordon and Jaylen Brown while they were still teenagers, helping them build the mental foundation for success. He is also the author of Play Present, a mental skills playbook he wrote while earning his master’s degree in Sport Psychology.
His mission has always been simple: to help athletes train their minds the way they train their bodies—intentionally, consistently, and with purpose.
Due to limited space, please only register if you are certain you can attend.
