By Randall Yip, Executive Editor
Former UConn starting point guard Kaitlyn Chen is seen in a video on X wearing a t-shirt with her team’s Huskie logo on it and the words “nothing easy” emblazoned across the top.
That’s how her journey is going so far in the WNBA.
The 30th overall pick in the draft has been cut by the Golden State Valkyries just two days before the start of the team’s inaugural season.
That news upset many of her fans, especially at UConn.
wtf @valkyries are you thinking dropping kaitlyn chen?! she was the star of the team and NCAA champion last year?? was this a PR stunt cuz y’all didn’t need it …
How tf are the valkyries just gonna drop KaitlynChen like that!? They definitely used her ass for attention for this new team
The news became even more controversial after Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally chimed in, defending the decision to cut Chen, reported Women’s Fastbreak on SI.
“She got a chance. That’s more than others get. To promote her and share her culture is amazing…she got waved because she wasn’t good enough yet.
That was followed by fan backlash.
“No reason for@satou_sabally to have weighed in on Kaitlyn Chen being cut from@valkyries. Gratuitous and mean. SS was not in Valkyries camp day in and out.”
“I used to like Satou but I don’t even get why she involved herself in it. she’s not a recent draftee, she isn’t going to play for the valkyries, and she isn’t the WNBA’s PR rep so why did she take it upon herself to say that??”
It remains to be seen whether Chen gets picked up by another WNBA team, heads overseas to play or uses her Ivy League degree, graduating in anthropology from Princeton before using her final year of basketball eligibility to play at UConn.
The WNBA season kicks off Friday, but injuries could potentially open up a roster spot.
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