Kaitlyn Chen Waived by WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Ahead of Season Opener

HARTFORD, Conn. — Former UConn women’s basketball guard Kaitlyn Chen was waived by the WNBA‘s Golden State Valkyries on May 14, just days before the team’s season opener. The Valkyries, an expansion team, drafted Chen 30th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Chen’s release came as the Valkyries pared their roster down to 12 players for the upcoming season. The team also waived four other players, including Laeticia Amihere and Chloe Bibby, as part of their final roster decisions.

Chen made her only preseason appearance on May 6, where she played a combined 13 minutes across two games. During that time, she scored two points, grabbed three rebounds, and recorded an assist. Known for her contributions to UConn’s championship-winning season, Chen averaged 11.9 points and 3.8 assists this past year.

She transferred to UConn after three seasons at Princeton, joining a roster that included fellow draft picks Paige Bueckers and Aubrey Griffin. Bueckers was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings, while Griffin was picked 36th overall by the Minnesota Lynx.

Her former coach at UConn, Natalie Nakase, praised Chen’s work ethic and passion for the game. “Kaitlyn just leaves everything out on the floor… she’s someone you can trust,” Nakase said. However, despite the coach’s favorable comments, it was not enough to secure Chen a spot on the roster.

UConn fans expressed their disappointment on social media, with comments ranging from sadness about her release to hopes that she may join another team in the future. One fan wrote, “kaitlyn chen waived i no longer like that purple team anymore,” while another stated, “I thought she had a decent shot.”

The Valkyries are set to open their inaugural season against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday. With Chen and others waived, the roster will not feature any of their recent draft picks.