Here’s the latest I can verify about Kaitlyn Chen and the WNBA from publicly reported coverage up to 2026.
Direct answer
- Kaitlyn Chen is a guard who was drafted No. 30 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Golden State Valkyries. Her progress through the 2025 season included preseason appearances and regular-season contributions, but by mid-2025 reports indicate she faced a waiver/roster transition in the Valkyries and subsequently explored other professional avenues.
Key points and context
- 2025 rookie season: Chen appeared in multiple games for the Valkyries, with a notable performance in preseason and some regular-season play, including a rookie-year statistical line that drew attention as the team built its roster [sources referencing her draft position and early WNBA involvement exist in coverage from outlets like Yardbarker and NBC Sports, among others].[3][5]
- Waiver and subsequent moves: After her initial WNBA stint, several outlets reported that Chen was waived by the Valkyries in May 2025, marking a turning point in her immediate WNBA trajectory. The reporting highlighted that she would be exploring next steps, potentially including overseas opportunities or league training camps.[4][3]
- Other professional stops: Chen’s professional resume expanded to include a stint with the 3x3 basketball circuit (3XBA) and participation in 3x3 events, indicating versatility and continued professional play beyond the WNBA, with coverage noting her involvement in 3XBA and related competitions in 2025–2026.[1][4]
- Notable achievements: In college, Chen had a distinguished career, first at Princeton (Ivy League Player of the Year 2023) and then at UConn, contributing to a national title run in 2025. This high-level collegiate success underpins the expectations around her professional potential.[8][1]
- Coverage landscape: News and analysis about Chen’s status has appeared across multiple outlets, including Fox Sports, Yardbarker, NBC Sports, ESPN, and Just Women's Sports, reflecting ongoing interest in her career path and current team affiliations.[2][5][6][10][3]
Illustrative snapshot
- A representative moment from her 2025 season was her WNBA debut and early minutes with the Valkyries, followed by media coverage that she remained a player with potential and a path forward, even as roster changes occurred within the league.[1][3]
Would you like me to:
- Compile a concise, up-to-date timeline of Kaitlyn Chen’s pro career with dates and team names?
- Pull direct quotes or game-by-game stats from the most recent season?
- Create a quick chart comparing her college honors, WNBA rookie-year stats, and 3x3 performance?
Sources
Get the latest WNBA news on Kaitlyn Chen. Stay up to date with WNBA player news, rumors, updates, analysis, social feeds, and more at FOX Sports.
www.foxsports.comKaitlyn Chen player info, news, stats, game logs, videos, fantasy, and more on NBC Sports.
www.nbcsports.com‘To have this much support coming into a league this tough means a lot,’ Chen said
paw.princeton.eduFind the latest news about Golden State Valkyries Guard Kaitlyn Chen on ESPN. Check out news, rumors, and game highlights.
www.espn.comKaitlyn Chen’s time with the Golden State Valkyries may have been short-lived, but her mark on the WNBA is already historic, and her story is far from over.
www.yardbarker.comKaitlyn Chen is turning the page on a new professional basketball chapter — one built around opportunity, adaptability, and resilience. After being waived by the Golden State Valkyries following the 2025 WNBA preseason, the former UConn guard has officially signed with the 3×3 Basketball Association (3XBA), the league announced on May 30.
www.yardbarker.com