Kaitlyn Chen Makes Her Next Career Move After WNBA Cut

Chen’s rise to the WNBA was marked by consistent winning and poise under pressure. After three dominant seasons at Princeton, where she earned three Ivy League Tournament MVP honors and was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023, she transferred to UConn for her final college season. There, she started all 40 games and helped lead the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA national championship, averaging 6.9 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 51.4% from the floor.

She was selected with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the expansion Golden State Valkyries, joining No. 5 overall pick Justė Jocytė as one of the franchise’s first-ever draftees.

In her pro debut during preseason, Chen logged two points and three rebounds. Head coach Natalie Nakase praised Chen after the game for her effort.

“I just think [Kaitlyn] is so loved from the basketball world in general. Kaitlyn, 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, but at the same time, you could see she’s fearless.”

However, that performance wasn’t enough to earn her a spot on the final 12-player roster. Chen was among the five players waived as Golden State trimmed its roster from 17 ahead of the regular season, opting for more experienced guards.

“Officially on Board”: A Swift Transition to 3XBA

Just days after her WNBA release, 3XBA Spokane confirmed Chen’s addition to the roster with a welcome post: “Officially on board. Welcome, Kaitlyn Chen, to 3XBA Spokane.”

The 3XBA, a women-founded and player-focused league, is part of a growing movement to expand professional opportunities in the 3-on-3 format, aligning with the broader rise of 3×3 basketball as an Olympic discipline.

While Chen’s WNBA opportunity may be on pause, her decision to pivot quickly into the 3XBA demonstrates both resilience and strategic thinking. Her court vision, efficient shooting, and composure translate well to the fast-paced, space-oriented demands of 3×3 play.

It also gives her a platform to stay visible, develop against high-level competition, and work toward either a FIBA run or another shot in the WNBA.

Given Golden State’s offensive struggles during the preseason, particularly with pace and halfcourt shot creation, some observers questioned why Chen wasn’t retained as a developmental piece. Her skill set, highlighted by a 15-point Elite Eight performance on 6-of-9 shooting against USC, suggests she has the tools to contribute at the pro level.

For now, Chen is focused on seizing what’s in front of her. The journey continues — just on a new stage.