The 2025 WNBA Draft was a night of surprises for UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen. She arrived to support teammate Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick. Instead, Chen found herself drafted by the Golden State Valkyries. However, even though Chen wasn’t expecting much, her teammates, especially Caroline Ducharme, always had hope.
Kaitlyn Chen Shares the Hilarious Advice Given by Caroline Ducharme
Chen stepped into the 2025 WNBA Draft with no expectations for herself. Her focus was on cheering for Paige Bueckers, UConn’s star selected first overall by the Dallas Wings. Chen, a senior guard who transferred from Princeton, was there as a loyal teammate.
But the night took an unexpected turn when the Golden State Valkyries called her name in the third round as the 30th overall pick.
The announcement made her UConn teammates jump in excitement. Their excitement turned Chen’s shock into joy. “I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted, and I’m so happy for her, but it’s been an unreal night,” she told reporters.
Kaitlyn Chen says that Caroline Ducharme told her to stay ready as the WNBA Draft went on:
“She almost didn’t let us use the bathroom, just in case” 😂 pic.twitter.com/KPN7Lo0q0i
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) April 15, 2025
Chen’s teammates weren’t the only ones ready for the moment. Caroline Ducharme, another UConn guard, had given her some comical advice to stay prepared. “She almost didn’t let us use the bathroom, just in case,”
Chen laughed, recalling Ducharme’s insistence on keeping everyone in the room so they didn’t miss any announcement. Ducharme’s intuition paid off, as Chen’s name was announced through the draft hall.
The scene was very similar to a moment from 2024 when Iowa’s Kate Martin attended the draft to support Caitlin Clark and ended up drafted by the Las Vegas Aces. Now, Martin and Chen will share the court as teammates on the Valkyries, the newest WNBA franchise.
Chen’s path to the WNBA wasn’t straightforward. A Southern California native, she spent three seasons at Princeton, catching UConn coach Geno Auriemma’s attention in a 2022 game where she dropped 18 points and seven assists.
Her transfer to UConn for her senior year proved pivotal. Starting 40 games, she averaged 6.9 points and helped the Huskies clinch a national championship. Princeton, far from resentful, celebrated her draft selection with public congratulations.
Ducharme has always been beside Chen’s side and has been a valuable addition to the team. After battling head injuries for over 15 months, she made a triumphant return in a recent UConn victory.
Also Read: With Paige Bueckers Gone, Who Will Be the Next Face of Women’s College Basketball?
For Chen, the draft was a celebration of teamwork and perseverance. Now, she heads to Golden State, where head coach Natalie Nakase will lean on players like Chen and Martin to build a winning culture in the Valkyries’ inaugural season.
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