Kaitlyn 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.

Chen, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was officially waived by the Valkyries this week as the team trimmed its roster ahead of Friday’s inaugural season opener. In doing so, the franchise made it challenging to move forward without a member of its 2025 draft class, including the Taiwanese-American guard who made league history just days earlier.

Chen became the first player of Taiwanese descent to appear in a WNBA game during Golden State’s lone preseason matchup, logging eight minutes, two points, and three rebounds. The box score was modest, but the moment was not. When Chen checked into the game at Chase Center, she was met with a standing ovation. That warm reception reflected something bigger: recognition of her role as a trailblazer and the respect she commands throughout women’s basketball.

“You saw the response from our team, right?” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said. “They just jumped for joy as soon as Kaitlyn made a shot… That was a big moment.”

Nakase spoke glowingly of Chen throughout training camp, highlighting her basketball instincts and command of the floor.

“She just leaves everything out on the floor,” Nakase said. “She’ll look at me, and be like, ‘What do you want to run?’ And I was like, ‘Well, what do you want to run?’ She’s someone you can trust… fearless.”

Historic WNBA Trailblazer Kaitlyn Chen Waived by Golden State Valkyries Just Days After Debut 2 May 11, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (right) with guard Kaitlyn Chen against the Phoenix Mercury during a preseason game at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Before arriving on the professional stage, Chen built a standout résumé in college. She starred at Princeton, winning Ivy League Player of the Year honors in 2023, before transferring to UConn to play her final season under Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma. With the Huskies, she started all 40 games in the 2024–25 campaign and helped lead the program to its 12th national title, averaging 6.9 points and 3.4 assists per game.

“She’s going to make it in that league,” Auriemma said in April. “If she were a backup point guard her first year, you would be hard-pressed to find somebody better.”

That prediction will have to wait—for now.

Golden State’s decision to cut Chen didn’t reflect her abilities as much as it was a window into the WNBA’s harsh math. With only 12 roster spots per team and 156 total across the league, even skilled and decorated college players often find themselves on the outside looking in.

The Valkyries, building a roster from scratch as an expansion team, chose to prioritize experience and readiness. Their final lineup features veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings, as well as expansion draft additions Carla Leite and Kate Martin. None of their 2025 draftees—including first-rounder Justė Jocytė and second-rounder Shyanne Sellers—made the opening day roster. Jocytė is expected to join the team after fulfilling national team duties with Lithuania at EuroBasket.

While Chen’s WNBA journey has hit its first major hurdle, her future remains full of potential. She leaves Golden State with a professional debut already under her belt, the admiration of a coaching staff, and a historic milestone that can never be taken away.

Whether her next opportunity comes from a midseason call-up, an overseas contract, or a fresh start in next year’s training camp cycle, Chen has already proven she belongs.

“She’s so loved from the basketball world in general,” Nakase said.

The love is mutual. And the journey continues.