This ex-UConn star, Kaitlyn Chen’s experienced a swift transition from making history to being released, highlighting the harsh truth of pursuing a dream in the WNBA.
Just days after achieving a significant milestone, Kaitlyn Chen’s aspirations in the WNBA were put on pause. The former UConn guard, instrumental in leading the Huskies to their twelfth national championship last season, was let go by the Golden State Valkyries, just under 24 hours after becoming the first player of Taiwanese descent to compete in a WNBA game.
Selected 30th overall by the Valkyries, Chen entered the team’s first-ever preseason game at Chase Center to enthusiastic applause from the audience of 17,428. During her eight minutes on the court, she contributed two points and grabbed three rebounds, making an immediate, albeit brief, impression. However, like many other WNBA hopefuls, Chen’s chance was fleeting.
The Valkyries, one of the most eagerly awaited expansion teams in the league, decided to release Chen as part of their final roster cuts, alongside four other players. None of their three draft picks from 2025 made the initial roster.
UConn star Kaitlyn Chen’s performance
Chen’s path to this milestone had already been extraordinary. A standout at Princeton and named Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023, she transferred to UConn for her final season and showcased her skills against top-tier competition, starting all 40 games. Despite being drafted late, head coach Geno Auriemma had strong confidence in Chen’s prospects.
“She’s going to succeed in that league,” Auriemma remarked at the Big East Tournament. “If she were a backup point guard in her first year, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone better.”
The WNBA can be ruthless. With only 12 roster spots available per team and just 156 across the league, even those who make history may find themselves without a place. Nonetheless, Kaitlyn Chen’s journey is not finished. She has already demonstrated her worth, transitioning from an Ivy League standout to a national champion and breaking barriers. Hopefully, she will find a new opportunity with another WNBA team soon.