UConn’s KK Arnold drops 5-word reaction as Kaitlyn Chen signs with Golden State Valkyries

UConn women's basketball star KK Arnold hyped her former Husky teammate Kaitly Chen, who made a recent move in the WNBA. Chen was one of the UConn stars who were drafted in April after helping the Huskies win the program's 12th national championship title.

On Sunday, Arnold shared a post by Broadcasting & Media Company, which announced Chen re-signing with the Golden State Valkyries on her Instagram story.

"I KNOW DATS RIGHT 2," Arnold captioned the story.

KK Arnold hypes former UConn teammate Kaitlyn Chen's latest move to the Golden State Valkyries on IG story. Image via @kamoreaarnold

Chen was originally selected by the Valkyries as the No. 30 pick in this year's draft. However, she was waived on May 14 after appearing in two preseason games for the Valkyries. During the preseason, she averaged 2.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 13 minutes of play.

Her latest contract with Golden State did not specify the duration, but she's expected to be on the Valkyries roster for at least the coming two weeks as several players participate in EuroBasket, which begins June 18. She was signed alongside Chloe Bibby, who averaged 5.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and shot 37.5% in two preseason games for the Valkyries.

Chen will wear number 2 while Bibby will wear number 55 for Golden State.

Kaitlyn Chen set to play in 3x3BA

Before signing a new contract with the Golden State Valkyries, former UConn women's basketball star Kaitlyn Chen signed with a team in the 3x3 Basketball Association. Chen, who made history as the first player of Taiwanese descent to be drafted into the WNBA, had her contract waived by the Valkyries.

This paved the way for her to make a move to the 3xBA, signing for the Spokane Hoopfest in a bid to continue her professional basketball career. The move was announced by WNBA reporter Roberta Rodriguez on X.

"SOURCES: Kaitlyn Chen, Princeton and UConn alumna, has signed with @The3xBA for Spokane Hoopfest. She had been drafted by the Golden State Valkyries and waived ahead of the start of the season," Rodriguez wrote on May 30.

Roberta F. Rodrigues

@robertawbb

LINK

SOURCES: Kaitlyn Chen, Princeton and UConn alumna, has signed with

@The3xBA

for Spokane Hoopfest. She had been drafted by the Golden State Valkyries and waived ahead of the start of the season.

Signing the 3x3 Basketball Association may give Chen a shot at playing for the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series. First, she has to be with the winning team at the 3xBA tournament, which is set to begin on June 28 in Washington. Should she win, she is expected to become eligible to represent the USA in not just the FIBA Women's Series, but in future tournaments like the 2028 Olympics.

Meanwhile, the FIBA 3XBA, like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited, offers women's basketball players the opportunity to play the sport outside of the WNBA, without having to travel overseas. The 3x3 format includes 10-minute games, a 12-second shot clock, with players earning points to help them in the FIBA ranking and ultimately earn a spot at the 2028 Summer Olympics.