Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase is straight up blown away by Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese, calling her a “huge reason” the Dream are even in the 2026 WNBA Finals. That’s a rival coach, people, dropping that kind of praise! It’s not just lip service either, Nakase knows what she’s talking about, having worked with Reese as an assistant for Team USA during the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
The “Ultimate, Ultra Competitor” Gets It Done
Nakase pulled no punches when talking about Reese, telling reporters Tuesday, “She’s the ultimate, ultra competitor to me.” How cool is that to hear from someone on the other side? Nakase recalled Reese’s voice constantly being heard at USA events, whether she was cheering teammates on or flat out calling them out for needing energy. It really shows you the kind of fire this woman plays with. The coach emphasized that Reese brings an incredible competitive edge and absolutely will not let any possession slip away. It’s that kind of drive that makes a difference in crunch time, and it’s definitely a huge part of why the Dream are playing for a championship. Reese was a key rotation piece for that U.S. squad that snagged gold, by the way, even leading the team with 2.5 offensive rebounds per game. She’s just relentless.
Reese’s Playoff Dominance Is No Joke
Honestly, Reese has been on an absolute tear all season. She’s not just an All-Star, she earned her third consecutive nod this year and took home Defensive Player of the Year honors. Yeah, you heard that right, DPOY! But let’s talk about the playoffs, because that’s where legends are made. Across five postseason games, Reese is averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and a ridiculous 2.2 blocks per game. She’s shooting 43.3 percent from the field and a surprising 38.5 percent from three-point territory. Those are serious numbers when the pressure is at its absolute peak. The stats back it up even harder: the Dream boast a mind-blowing plus-17.5 net rating with Reese on the floor in the playoffs. Wanna know what happens when she sits? That number plummets to a minus-11.6 net rating. That’s a monumental swing, telling you everything you need to know about her impact.
So, get ready! Game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. You know Angel Reese is gonna bring that “ultimate, ultra competitor” energy. This is the WNBA Finals, and with Reese playing like this, it’s gonna be a showdown you won’t want to miss.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply