Kaitlyn Chen Signs 3XBA Pro Basketball Contract After Being Cut By WNBA's Valkyries

Former UConn star Kaitlyn Chen has signed with the 3x3 Basketball Association after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries, the league announced Friday.

Chen was drafted by the Valkyries with the No. 30 pick of the 2025 WNBA draft, but was cut after appearing in two preseason games.

She will join the 3-on-3 league ahead of the Spokane Hoopfest, which will take place in Washington from June 25-28.

The winning team at the Spokane Hoopfest earns an automatic spot at the FIBA 3x3 women's tournament, as noted by WNBA reporter Roberta F. Rodrigues.

After three seasons as a starter at Princeton, Chen transferred to UConn ahead of her senior 2024-25 season.

She went on to start all 40 games for the Huskies on the team's way to a national championship.

After joining No. 5 selection Juste Jocyte as the Valkyries' first-ever draft picks, Chen made her pro debut by posting two points and three rebounds in the franchise's first preseason game.

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase praised Chen after that game as someone who "leaves everything out on the floor."

That performance wasn't enough to help Chen beat out veteran players when Golden State cut the roster down from 17 players to 12 ahead of the 2025 season start.

Chen could look to make her way back onto an WNBA roster in the future. For now she will focus on her preparation for what the Spokane Hoopfest calls "the largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament on Earth."