Author Image: Nathan Canilao
High School Sports Reporter

Nathan Canilao

Nathan Canilao is a Bay Area News Group high school sports reporter for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. He was previously a sports reporting intern at the L.A. Daily News and is an alumnus of the Sports Journalism Institute. He is a 2023 San Jose State University graduate, where he was the Executive Editor of the Spartan Daily, the school's student-run newspaper. Nathan is a member of the Asian-American Journalists Association.

All Stories

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold (14) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their 29-13 win over the New England Patriots for Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Sam Darnold rides NFL’s highs and lows to Super Bowl 60 win

Darnold signed to back up Brock Purdy with the 49ers less than three years ago. Now he's a Super Bowl champion starting quarterback.
The Seattle Seahawks, including Byron Murphy II (91) takes a selfie as they are introduced for Super Bowl Opening Night at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Seahawks’ Super Bowl 60 opening night: Darnold compliments 49ers, Seattle at home in Bay

Receiver Mack Hollins gives his take on theory about electrical substation near Levi's Stadium. Plus, offensive lineman Gray Zabel discusses his unusual childhood chores at Super Bowl media night.
Former San Francisco 49ers players Jesse Sapolu, left, and Joe Montana talk during the first half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Brandon Crawford, Jesse Sapolu headline Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Cal rugby coach Jack Clark, swimmer Missy Franklin, sprinter Eddie Hart among those honored in new Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame class.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (88) reacts after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Monday Morning Lights: Tonges’ winning catch for 49ers makes Los Gatos coach proud

De La Salle, Serra coaches dislike playing one another. Lincoln-San Jose coach on holding Big Bone in September. Los Gatos QB has keys to himself. Mountain View staff dumps headsets.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 10: Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on February 10, 2012 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Former NBA star, Asian American trailblazer Jeremy Lin retires

On the verge of being out of the league, Lin saved his NBA career over a two-week stretch during the 2011-12 season with the New York Knicks.
Harvard Crimson’s Thomas Batties II, left, holds the ball as former NBA star Jeremy Lin teaches defensive basketball skills during his NextGen college basketball camp at the Pinewood Activities Center in Palo Alto, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Palo Alto native Jeremy Lin is guiding the next wave of Asian American basketball players

Former NBA standout Jeremy Lin is helping the next generation of Asian American hoopers 13 years after Linsanity.
San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, July 6, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Adames, Birdsong shine as SF Giants take series finale against Athletics

San Francisco Giants close out Athletics to take I-80 series.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) pitches against the Athleticsin the first inning of their MLB game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Pitchers Webb, Ray, Rodríguez earn All-Star nods for Giants

Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Randy Rodriguez will represent the Giants at the All-Star game on July 15
Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) celebrates a teammates basket against the Minnesota Lynx in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Valkyries’ Kate Martin takes step toward becoming rotation regular with career night against Lynx

Martin's 14-point second-quarter flurry brought the Valkyries to life.
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase speaks during an interview after a team practice at Sephora Performance Center in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Nakase is the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

How Valkyries’ Nakase rose from coaching depths to make Asian-American history

Natalie Nakase leads the Golden State Valkyries into their inaugural season after grinding through German, Japanese and minor-league coaching jobs to become the first Asian-American head coach in WNBA history.