Kaitlyn Chen arrived at the WNBA Draft in New York on Monday night to watch her friend and UConn teammate Paige Bueckers be taken with the first overall pick. Before the night was over, Chen’s year, which already included a national championship, got even better. The expansion Golden State Valkyri es selected the former Princeton star in the third round with the 30th overall pick. “Honestly, still in a little bit of shock,” Chen said in a post-draft press conference. “It’s all a little overwhelming. I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted and I’m so happy for her. It’s been an unreal night.” The Los Angeles native was a three-time Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player in which she led the Tigers to the title each time. Also the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year, Chen scored 1,276 points in her three seasons and helped Princeton to a 74-16 overall record. “The Valkyries are getting a relentless worker, a gritty defender, a versatile playmaker and an amazing teammate,” Tigers coach Carla Berube said. “I know Kaitlyn is prepared for the next level. The combination of her Princeton and UConn experiences have well equipped her to play in the W. Congrats Kaitlyn!” Chen transferred to UConn for her graduate season and started all 40 games for the Huskies and averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds. Her signature moment came in the Elite Eight against USC where she produced 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Chen was the ninth Ivy League player overall and four Princeton alumnae (Abby Meyers, Bella Alarie and Leslie Robinson) to be picked in the WNBA draft. Harvard’s Harmoni Turner became the 10th Ivy player selected at No. 35 by the Las Vegas Aces. “In her single season at UConn, Chen proved she was more than just a good Ivy League player,” ESPN analyst Charlie Creme said. “Dominant at Princeton, she filled the pass-first point guard role for the Huskies and could do the same for Golden State.” ...read more read less