Juste Jocyte has openly expressed doubts about returning to the Golden State Valkyries after their 2026 WNBA title win, citing a strained relationship with head coach Natalie Nakase as a major factor. Speaking to Lithuanian media, the 2025 lottery pick described mixed feelings about her rookie season, during which she barely saw playing time despite being part of a championship-winning team.
“I had very mixed feelings about this victory,” Jocyte told BasketNews. “I’m happy for the team, but on the other hand, I didn’t really contribute much. It’s both really fun and, in a way, a bit sad.” She added that she was unsure whether she wanted to return next year, saying, “I don’t even know where I stand – whether I’d want to come back next year – so it’s a very mixed feeling.”
Jocyte and her representatives have informed Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin of her reluctance to return. “We just became champions, but from the perspective of my personal growth, it’s hard to imagine going back to the same coach, who doesn’t really communicate well and doesn’t seem to like me very much,” Jocyte said. “My thoughts are that I don’t really want to return to that team. As for a trade, that’s a different story, and we’ll see later, but right now my preliminary thoughts are that I really wouldn’t want to go back.”
The tension between Jocyte and Nakase appears to revolve around communication issues and unclear expectations. Jocyte described a lack of serious conversations with Nakase to explain why she had limited minutes. “Honestly, the whole month of June was just one excuse after another,” Jocyte said. “At first, you understand that it takes time to get into the groove – the plays and everything else – but when they’ve been saying the same thing for two weeks now, that I need to learn the plays. I think it took me more or less a day, and that was it. There was never any serious, official conversation with the coach about what, who, or why.”
A source close to the situation confirmed that Jocyte’s frustration stemmed from inconsistent explanations given by Nakase to the media about her playing time. Initially, Nakase said she was easing Jocyte into the rotation for health and conditioning reasons. However, after a promising second-half performance against the Indiana Fever on May 28, her minutes diminished.
By early June, Nakase cited matchup considerations as a reason for Jocyte’s absence from the court. On June 8, Nakase told reporters, “I don’t ever want to throw a player in there if they don’t know exactly what we’re looking for, because then I’m not setting them up for success.” Just one day later, Nakase said plans were in place to groom Jocyte as a lead ballhandler, but by June 13, she suggested that Jocyte still needed time to develop as a point guard.
The source noted that this shift frustrated Jocyte and her camp the most. Jocyte’s strengths lie as a wing playing alongside a secondary ballhandler, a role she excelled in during her time overseas with European point guards like Julie Allemand, Marine Fauthoux, and Klara Holm. Nakase’s comments implied a development path that did not align with Jocyte’s preferred style.
By July, Jocyte’s playing time had all but disappeared as the Valkyries continued their winning streak. The team’s success diverted media attention from the rookie’s unusual season.
Nakase’s explanations for Jocyte’s limited minutes were consistent with the depth of the Valkyries’ rotation and the presence of veteran players ahead of her. Still, Jocyte’s public remarks reveal significant tension behind the scenes.
At this stage, it remains uncertain whether Jocyte will return to Golden State or seek a trade. The Valkyries have not issued a statement regarding her comments or future with the team.
According to Yahoo Sports.
