Kaitlyn Chen’s recent nod as “Most Underrated Player” in the r/NCAAW Reddit Awards—garnering 35.2% of the vote—has ignited discussions across basketball circles. Critics argue the title overlooks a key fact: Chen’s growing prominence. In April, she became the first Taiwanese American drafted into the WNBA, going 30th overall to the Valkyries.
Her historic achievement resonated globally, especially among Asian American fans who praised her visibility and cultural significance. Chen also made headlines by becoming the first WNBA preseason participant of Taiwanese descent.
From Draft History to Debate: Kaitlyn Chen’s Rising Star Meets Backlash Over Reddit Award
Chen’s standout season with UConn and her historic WNBA selection were capped by another accolade: “Most Underrated Player” in the r/NCAAW subreddit awards. A post by moderator GriffinOfThoth unveiled the result, noting that Chen “was one of the integral missing pieces for the national championship UConn team.”
He highlighted her season stats—career highs of .514/.354/.842—and her poise during high-pressure moments. The award also nodded to her success at Princeton, where she totaled 1,276 points, 359 assists and 313 rebounds.
Chen was later drafted 30th overall by the Golden State Valkyries, becoming the first Taiwanese American ever selected to the WNBA and the first to appear in a preseason game.
Despite her achievements, many Reddit users pushed back.
“I love Chen, but I think it is funny that there’s a vote over who is the most underrated as it would literally mean they are not talked about enough… and the most talked about of the nominees wins,” one user wrote.
Another commenter, buffalotrace, didn’t hold back:
“Talked an awful lot about for someone who was 5th on her team in scoring… She was fine as a 4th starter.”
He argued Katie Dinnebier should’ve been the clear winner instead, praising her as “actually the best player in mid major ball” and “less talked about.”
Another user added, “How is a really good, popular player on a great team ‘underrated’?” He listed other potential candidates such as Harmoni Turner and Ayoka Lee, saying,
“Dig deeper. Do better.” Even those supportive of Chen’s play acknowledged the contradiction.
“She’s underrated? I feel like she’s talked about fairly often in ncaawb discussions,” one user noted.
In response to criticism, moderator GriffinOfThoth clarified that “the nominees were crowdsourced in public on this sub.”
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Still, one user countered,
“That fact makes it even worse. People on this sub should know better.”
While fans celebrated Chen’s on-court contributions and cultural impact, many saw the award as misapplied, arguing that true “underrated” players often go unrecognized—not headline draft picks on championship rosters.
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