Kaitlyn Chen’s path to the 2025 WNBA Draft is a testament to resilience, grit, adaptability, and basketball intelligence. After three standout seasons at Princeton, the 5-foot-9 graduate guard transferred to UConn for her final year of NCAA eligibility, playing a key role in the Huskies’ run to their 12th national championship.
Chen now enters the WNBA Draft on Monday, April 14, as a projected second-round steal — a poised floor general and natural leader ready to make an impact at the next level.
Beginning her collegiate career with the Princeton Tigers, Chen quickly established herself as a standout guard. Seeking greater challenges and exposure, she transferred to the University of Connecticut for her final year of NCAA eligibility. At UConn, Chen played a pivotal role in leading the Huskies to their 12th national championship, showcasing her ability to excel in high-pressure situations and against elite competition. Her collegiate accolades include:
Strengths:
Biggest Weakness:
Like fellow 2025 WNBA Draft prospect TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, Chen’s biggest challenge, though no fault of her own, is her size. At just 5-foot-9, Chen will face bigger, taller, stronger, and faster defenders in the WNBA. She is a good, scrappy defender, but may struggle to finish through contact or defend in one-on-one situations.
“She’s going to make it in the league,” Auriemma said. “I think if she were a back-up point guard for you her first year, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone better.”
While her stats and 2024 accolades may not jump off the page, Chen’s impact was felt in her efficiency, decision-making, and poise on and off the court. She served as a stabilizing presence within UConn’s backcourt and was often tasked with keeping the offense composed in crucial moments.
“Kaitlyn Chen is the kind of player that every really, really good team has,” said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. “Somebody that does not have to score every time she touches. Somebody that is not going to take bad shots just to get her shots.”
Chen is set to join a long line of UConn greats in the WNBA, including projected No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. The Huskies’ legacy in the league is unmatched, with a roster of all-time talents who have shaped women’s basketball and continue to do so today. Notable UConn alumnas include guard Sue Bird, guard Diana Taurasi, center Tina Charles, forward Maya Moore, guard Tiffany Hayes, forward Napheesa Collier, and forward Aaliyah Edwards.
During the 2024 WNBA season, 16 UConn Huskies made their way onto rosters, and Chen and Bueckers are to join and dominate alongside them.
Chen may not be the loudest or highest name in the 2025 WNBA Draft, but her value is undeniable. She’s the kind of player who can step into a professional system, run an offense, and make smart, winning plays from day one. As franchises look to add depth and stability at the guard position, UConn’s veteran point guard offers a dependable option with championship experience and proven leadership. Any team that selects her on Monday won’t just be filling a roster spot, but they’ll be landing one of the draft’s most underrated steals.
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