Kaitlyn Chen has never just played the game. She has redefined what it means to be a basketball player.
The 5-foot-9 guard from San Marino, California, grew up the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants and developed a love for basketball at a young age. Proud to identify as Asian-American, Chen has used her platform to break social norms and build a legacy that goes beyond the court.
From Ivy League Star to National Contender
Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Chen committed to Princeton University, where she blossomed as both a student-athlete and leader. Her freshman season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting her to three seasons with the Tigers. But in that time, she helped lead Princeton to three Ivy League tournament titles and earned Most Outstanding Player honors each year. She was also named Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023. Thanks to her consistency, toughness, and leadership, Princeton made three straight NCAA tournament appearances.
A New Chapter at UConn
With one year of eligibility remaining, Chen transferred to UConn, one of the most storied programs in women’s college basketball. In her lone season with the Huskies, Chen started all 40 games and averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds. Her poise and versatility helped fuel UConn’s deep postseason run. One of her best performances came in the Elite Eight against USC, where she scored 15 points and helped the Huskies secure a trip to the national championship game.
There, UConn defeated top-ranked South Carolina 82-59, and Chen became the first Taiwanese-American to win a Division I women’s basketball national title.
Draft Night and Beyond
Following the championship, Chen attended the WNBA Draft to support her teammate Paige Bueckers. She did not expect to hear her own name called. But with the 30th overall pick, the Golden State Valkyries selected Kaitlyn Chen, creating a spontaneous and unforgettable moment as she was called down from the stands.
The selection made her the first Taiwanese-American drafted into the WNBA. For Chen, returning to California with the Valkyries also meant that her parents would finally be able to attend games just a short flight away, something that was more difficult during her time on the East Coast.
Chen joined the Valkyries for training camp and preseason, but she and fellow UConn guard Chloe Bibby were waived before the regular season began. The decision sparked disappointment among fans, as Chen had quickly become a favorite both in the locker room and online. Despite the setback, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the experience of being part of a brand-new WNBA franchise.
One month later, Chen was called back to the team as players left to compete in EuroBasket. Though the role may not be permanent, her determination remains the same. Whether she sticks with the Valkyries or finds her next home elsewhere, Kaitlyn Chen’s story is far from finished.
From Princeton to UConn to the WNBA, she has proven time and again that she belongs. And with each step forward, she continues to inspire fans, break barriers, and represent something bigger than basketball.
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