Cypress’ trip to Staples Center includes a visit with Clippers assistant Natalie Nakase

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Natalie Nakase with (from left) frosh-soph Coach Curtis Takimoto, Varsity Coach Derek Mitchell; JV Coach Josh Lozano and Varsity Assistant Tom Wong. (Photos courtesy Cypress basketball, For OC Sports Zone)

A visit by the Cypress High boys basketball team to the Staples Center Thursday for a basketball game with South Torrance included a meeting with Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Natalie Nakase.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Clippers assistant coach Natalie Nakase visits with Cypress players Thursday.

Cypress players pose for a picture outside of Staples Center Thursday.

“We grew up together as family friends,” said Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell. “She’s a former Orange County player of the year when she led Marina high to the CIF championship. She the went on to UCLA and then overseas. She became the first female head coach in a men’s professional league before coming to the Clippers.”

Nakase met with the Centurion players before the game.

“Her message was how do you impact the game other than scoring? And how paying attention to detail along with personal focus will help you reach your goals,” Mitchell said.

Cypress defeated South Torrance 46-45. (For a report, please click here)