SEATTLE -- As the Golden State Valkyries prepare for the second half of the season, their rookie guard, Kaitlyn Chen, is staying ready for her moment. After starring with the Princeton Tigers and winning a championship with the UConn Huskies, Chen was drafted 30th overall by the Valkyries. Although she was waived before the regular season, her coaches, including Head Coach Natalie Nakase (NAH-Kah–seh), admired her determination in more ways than one. 

“Well, for one, [Chen’s] work ethic stands out to me…,” Nakase said after the Valkyries' 67-58 loss to the Seattle Storm. “She wants to be in the gym every day, so I have to tell her ‘not every day, Kaitlyn’, but it’s because she wants to get better….Her ceiling for herself is just like sky high, and when you have players like that [that] want to get better,... and even [during the game] she was telling me ‘Hey coach, I see this working rather than this.’ So now she’s telling me what she sees, so [Chen has] a high IQ, someone who wants to get better, and someone who enjoys leading in a positive way. I’m rolling with Kaitlyn every day.”

Now back with the team, Chen’s hard work and reliability in the big moments earned her a home in the Bay Area.

Since being drafted to Golden State, her journey this season has been anything but ordinary. Chen played 13 total minutes across two preseason games, scoring two points, three rebounds, and one assist. Her performances left a lot to be desired, and the team didn’t have enough space on the roster for her. While the news of getting released was difficult to hear, she never wavered from staying ready for when another opportunity presented itself.

“I just had to stay ready [after being cut],” Chen said. “...[I] just went home, reset a little and then came back more prepared.”

With her using the unfortunate news as an opportunity to improve, she was able to be ready for when Golden State was in a position to bring her back. Chen re-signed with the Valkyries on June 15th, and she’s still navigating what role she fits best in. Although she’s searching for how her game translates to Golden State’s success, her willingness to help the team in any way remains the same.

“...I feel like I’m still finding my way to see how I best fit in and how to best make an impact and like, do what’s best for the team.”

Her role on the Valkyries is still a mystery, which could work to their advantage down the stretch. Before the draft, Chen completed her college career with a National Championship at UConn. She was coached by Geno Auriemma (Or-ree-ehm-uh), who complimented her ability to step up when the team needed her during their NCAA Tournament run.

“...I’ve always felt a certain level of confidence with her, because she comes from a great program,” Auriemma said after UConn’s win against USC. “She’s well-coached, and she’s used to being counted on. She’s not going to shy away from doing great things.”

Auriemma praised how Chen is never afraid of the moment and how she gives him confidence because she is well-coached.  When Chen described how her UConn prepared her for the league, she talked about the resemblances between the two seasons.

“...I feel like at UConn last year, I was able to find my role with [the team] amongst really talented players, and figure out what I could do best to help my team,” Chen said. “...I feel like that’s the same [in Golden State]. I’m playing with some of the best players here on our team, and I feel like just figuring out how to best make us successful and them successful as well.”

Her role-identifying tactics are similar, which brings familiarity for Chen, and she’s able to learn from some of the best players in the league. Although her journey to the league was different from other rookies like her college teammate, WNBA All-Star Paige Bueckers (BECK-ers), the biggest adjustment for her has been the same as the others in her draft class. She described the talent in the league, but noted how the physicality was the biggest adjustment.

“Yeah, I feel like all the players are just extremely talented, and just like learning to play with the physicality that the W has been an adjustment, for sure.”

Chen noted how she’s playing with and against the best players and the physical difference between college and professional basketball. In her basketball career, she has played for great coaches who have given her different roles to help her teams succeed. While Nakase is no different, her coaching style sticks out as she is leading an expansion franchise closer to the playoffs. Chen discussed why Nakase’s coaching style appeals to her and how it aligns with the team’s identity.

“Yeah, I feel like she does a great job of making sure our live defense is our identity, and I love playing for a defensive coach,” she said. “I played for defensive coaches in the past, and [I like] just knowing that like that's what we are, and that sort of sets the tone for us.”