The Golden State Valkyries burst onto the WNBA scene with serious momentum, selling over 10,000 season tickets before playing a single game and packing the Chase Center with more than 18,000 fans for their debut. But the loudest moment of the night wasn’t a game-winning shot or flashy play. It was Kaitlyn Chen’s first basket. 

The crowd exploded like it was the NBA Finals. Chen, the first Taiwanese-American ever drafted into the league, instantly became a fan favorite. So when the team unexpectedly cut her just before the season began, it felt like a punch to the gut. Fans were outraged that the franchise decided to waive such a beloved member of the roster. They have been calling for a comeback from her ever since.

The Valkyries have responded to fan demands by bringing back Kaitlyn Chen and signing forward Chloe Bibby for the remainder of the season. Both players will be available for the team’s upcoming matchup against the Dallas Wings. Chen and Bibby step in to fill the spots left by Julie Vanloo, with Bibby providing much-needed depth at forward following a significant wave of departures due to EuroBasket commitments.

Bibby averaged 5.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and a 37.5 field goal percentage in two preseason contests for Golden State this season. Playing for Mississippi State and Maryland in college, she made her mark by tallying over 1,300 points and 600 rebounds during her collegiate career. Chen, on the other hand, played with Paige Bueckers and guided the UConn to the national title. 

The point guard had to undergo a big change in roles, moving from Princeton, where she was the premier scorer, to UConn, where she was more of a support player and facilitator. Chen appeared in two preseason games for the Valkyries, playing 13 total minutes with two points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. In her college career,11.9 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals. Chen was a pretty likable player at UConn, accepting a smaller role for the benefit of the team. 

She was picked 30th in the 2025 WNBA draft and drew loud cheers from the crowd. Her fellow rookies, including Paige Bueckers, will be delighted to welcome her back to the W. Bueckers had praised her earlier this year, saying,  “It’s hard coming in here as a transfer, trying to find her way. She was a scorer at Princeton, and she facilitates a lot here.”  Chen and their other UConn teammates were in attendance for her first WNBA victory in Connecticut against the Sun. They met up after the game to congratulate the Golden Girl. 

While she was a free agent, Kaitlyn Chen signed with the newly announced 3×3 Basketball Association (3XBA), which launched on May 30. She was set to represent the Spokane team at this year’s Spokane Hoopfest, taking place June 25–28 in Washington. However, with her recent return to the Golden State Valkyries, likely, Chen will miss the tournament to rejoin the WNBA action.

Golden State Valkyries tasked with the impossible after EuroBasket Exodus

Over the past week, for the Valkyries, Kyara Linskens was waived and is now playing for Belgium, while forward Cecilia Zandalasini left to join the Italian national team. Julie Vanloo also temporarily departed to represent Belgium. Rookie Janelle Salaün, fresh off a career-high 21-point performance against the Sparks, has left to compete for France. 

Temi Fágbénlé is also expected to join the British national team soon. Fortunately for them, Carla Leite opted against playing in EuroBasket this year and will remain in the Bay Area throughout. To make up for some of those gaps, the Valkyries re-signed Laeticia Amihere, who was waived ahead of the beginning of the season, and added veteran guard Aerial Powers.

With these many players leaving for the Euro Basket, they have had to turn their roster upside down just when they were finding some form. They are on a three-match winning streak, which includes wins against the likes of Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm, and Los Angeles Sparks. With a 5-5 record, their first season in the W is going far better than expected, but these many changes in the roster could derail their plans.  

The Valkyries will feel the absence of Janelle Salaün and Temi Fágbénlé on the boards, as they average 5.9 and 6.1 rebounds per game, respectively, ranking among the team’s best. Replacing Julie Vanloo’s steady and confident playmaking at point guard is no small task, but head coach Natalie Nakase is placing her trust in Kaitlyn Chen to fill the gap. While the difference in experience between the two is significant, Chen has already shown she has the talent and composure to hold her own. The team will miss the depth and versatility they have enjoyed so far, as well as the strong chemistry built by the original roster. Some of the departing players could return later in the season, but there is no clear timeline. Until then, the Valkyries will need to rely on resilience, smart coaching, and emerging talent to stay competitive.

“We have a plan,” the first Asian American head coach, Natalie Nakase, said on Monday. “It’s the same thing as an expansion draft. You have to be ready … We’ve watched a lot of film on other players, we’ve had conversations.”

The Golden State Valkyries have already defied expectations with a strong start to their inaugural season under head coach Natalie Nakase. As the roster continues to evolve, the team remains focused on pushing forward. Their rapid rise in popularity is now matched by their performance on the court, proving they’re more than just a crowd favorite. Backed by the league’s biggest and loudest fanbase, Nakase and her squad are determined to keep overachieving despite the setbacks. The road ahead won’t be easy, but the Valkyries have shown they’re built to compete. If they can weather this storm, they’ll come out even stronger.