First Taiwanese American WNBA player wants to be a role model

Just two days after being drafted, Kaitlyn Chen appeared in her first conference for the Golden State Valkyries. The Valkyries are the newest WNBA team and will play their first season this year.

“I feel like for me, it’s been a lot of just taking a lot of deep breaths and sort of enjoying each moment, because this is a once in a lifetime thing that happens,” Chen said at the press conference, where she was joined by fellow rookie Shyanne Sellers and General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin.

The past ten days have been a whirlwind for Chen. On April 6, she won a national championship with the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team in her final season as a college player.

A week later, she was preparing to attend the WNBA draft primarily to support her friend and UConn teammate Paige Bueckers. Chen told reporters after the draft that she was in shock.

Now, she told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference that she’s “taking everything in and making the most of it.”

Chen is the first Taiwanese American player to be drafted in the WNBA. Chen understands what her presence in the league means to other Asian Americans.

“I feel like growing up, there haven’t been a ton of Asian American athletes playing at the highest level, and to be able to sort of be that role model for younger Asian Americans and Asians in general is definitely really special, and I hope that I can be someone that they can look up to,” she said after being asked about her Asian American identity.

The rookie also expressed her excitement to learn from other players in the league.

“I feel like there are a lot of great people to look up to, and sort of just being a sponge, taking it all in, and learning from all of them. They’re really good at what they do, so just trying to learn from them,” she said.

As the WNBA’s latest expansion team, the Valkyries hope to help promote the league’s growth. Both Chen and Sellers praised the atmosphere surrounding the team.

“I think the best part is seeing how much people care around here and how much people are genuinely excited for this team,” Chen said.

Chen grew up in Southern California, but told reporters she is excited to be in the Bay Area.

“My sister is actually just living here this past year and the last year, and I got the chance to visit her a few times over the summer. And I love it here,” Chen said.