Kaitlyn Chen officially a Husky

[BRS24]

Why Princeton grad transfer Kaitlyn Chen could ‘thrive’ for UConn women’s basketball: ‘A great duo’

The 5-foot-9 addition from the transfer portal fills the Huskies’ need for an experienced point guard following the departure of Nika Mühl to the WNBA.

www.ctinsider.com

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“She knows it's going to be challenging and it's a challenge to step into a team that's been together … I think they're gonna really enjoy playing with her and just enjoy having her in the program.”​

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“Her selflessness is something that made her great and she really genuinely wanted her teammates to excel and feel the joy that she feels,” Kiyomura. “And that's the crazy part about her and what makes her special. I don't think people really realize that the great ones have that ability to do that.”​

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But she's also wants to soak in everything she possibly can from her coaches. And they'll (UConn) really enjoy that. Like, she’s just a sponge. And I told Coach (Geno Auriemma) she's gonna run through a wall to help you succeed.”​

 

[Big Daddy]

I’ve said this before, we are going to love this addition. Despite the depth on paper, this team still has question marks in terms of offensive firepower and creativity. Shade is a shooter, and streaky as a freshman, we all think she will improve. KK is a disrupter on both ends of the court, but not offensively polished or focused, and needs to work on shooting. Azzi is a great shooter but her minutes may be limited, and she is not a playmaker. We have no clue what Ducharme will bring, and she has struggled while on the court. Now Strong shows ability to score on three levels with high basketball IQ, and great court awareness but after all still a freshman. Chen is a bona fide scorer, playmaker, with creativity and court awareness. This is a slam dunk addition.

 

[meyers7]

Is she going to start in front of Azzi or Paige? She will play but starting would rely on someone not being healthy enough to play and I hope that is all behind this group of players.

We'll have to see if Fudd is available and up to speed. If so Bueckers and Fudd start. BUT Chen could start in front of Arnold.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

CBS did a story on Kaitlyn:

 

[MilfordHusky]

Here's an Asian (not Asian-American) who was pretty good:

 

[Bald Husky]

Is she going to start in front of Azzi or Paige? She will play but starting would rely on someone not being healthy enough to play and I hope that is all behind this group of players.

Chen starting instead of Paige? Quite amusing to say the least, but the starting five may not be who we think. We have a lot of talent on this team, and the starters I'm sure will not be finalized until November. Many have the game to start, but the issue will be who plays well with who. Paige will be on the floor of course, bur will she be the 1 or the 2. KK can play with Paige and be the PG, with Chen being the second PG with Azzi at the 2. Having Ice, Sarah, and Jana available, Geno may not be inclined to have a 3-guard offence, let alone a 4-guard offence. As I said, because of all the awesome talent that we have, the second team will be just as important as the first team. He could actually switch out 4 players at a time if he can find the right combinations. This will be very interesting come November, and I have to say that the discussions this summer about the combos will be plentiful, and some probably will be really wild. I can't wait until November, but geez, that's 6 months away.

 

[yhun89]

Is she going to start in front of Azzi or Paige? She will play but starting would rely on someone not being healthy enough to play and I hope that is all behind this group of players.

She’s gonna start for KK because she’s a PG. She isn’t a SG like Azzi, and PB is NOT going to come off the bench ever. The day she does will be when Geno has a brain aneurysm.

 

[jabstep]

We at times were offensively challenged last year. With K Chen who is a penetrate and kick or score PG it will make others better. We know that when Azzi is healthy along with Paige and K Chen we will have an experienced guard trio along with Sara, Ice and Jana and Hopefully Ayanna in the front court. We will be tough to beat. With KK and A Shade we will have experienced rotational guards who know our offense and defensive schemes. Morgan and Allie can learn and work themselves into the rotation. I have seen Allie play and she is a shooter. She will help spread the floor and Morgan brings playmaking, and scoring to an already loaded team.
I can't wait for November!!!!

 

[Bald Husky]

I believe Kaitlyn Chen will be good for us.

 

[oldude]

We at times were offensively challenged last year. With K Chen who is a penetrate and kick or score PG it will make others better. We know that when Azzi is healthy along with Paige and K Chen we will have an experienced guard trio along with Sara, Ice and Jana and Hopefully Ayanna in the front court. We will be tough to beat. With KK and A Shade we will have experienced rotational guards who know our offense and defensive schemes. Morgan and Allie can learn and work themselves into the rotation. I have seen Allie play and she is a shooter. She will help spread the floor and Morgan brings playmaking, and scoring to an already loaded team.
I can't wait for November!!!!

I would describe Kaitlyn Chen as a “combo guard” rather than a pure pg. She lead the Tigers in both scoring and assists while putting up the 2nd highest number of shots on the team. She is capable of both getting her own shot as well as setting up her teammates.

If you view Chen as a veteran replacement for Nika, she can do a lot of what Nika did for UConn. But she is clearly a better scorer. As for where Chen fits on the team, there’s lots of options, many of which depend on who gets healthy and how quickly.

 

[JellyBean]

Much like with Lou Senechal, a few practice sessions will determine if Kaitlyn starts or is part of the 2nd unit. Coach G said it best about Lou... “After the first five days, I pretty much said, ‘Someone who was a starter isn’t going to start this year. That’s how impressive she was.” We know and saw how impressive Kaitlyn is and what she brings to a team. We know Paige is going to start. After that, it comes down to who or who isn't working on improving their game. With so much coaching and videos out there, players that want to be really ELITE, are in the lab working on their craft. Players that are just comfortable and happy they are wearing the UConn gear, some player(s) will take their minutes.

 

[DEpup]

I'm not sure why there is such an obsession with who starts... In big games, I could totally see KK starting but Chen ending the game with her maturity. If both of them are in the 20 min range and get their moments, who cares. This team really needs depth to be ready for March and March is what really matters at UConn.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Kaitlyn will basically replace Nika Muhl with more scoring. She will take a ton of pressure off Paige during critical moments. She will make Paige better. She will earn the team's trust due to her experience carrying the team on her back when she played at Princeton. She will thrive with all the talent at Uconn, and she will be a great role model for KK like Nika did.

 

[Biff]

I'm not sure why there is such an obsession with who starts... In big games, I could totally see KK starting but Chen ending the game with her maturity. If both of them are in the 20 min range and get their moments, who cares. This team really needs depth to be ready for March and March is what really matters at UConn.

This!

 

[LAWDAWG]

I'm not sure why there is such an obsession with who starts... In big games, I could totally see KK starting but Chen ending the game with her maturity. If both of them are in the 20 min range and get their moments, who cares. This team really needs depth to be ready for March and March is what really matters at UConn.

It’s not really and obsession on who starts but and obsession by boneyard poster on who is right.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

We will find out during first practices real quick. Based on what I have seen of KK and Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn should start with Paige, and KK sub in to keep Kaitlyn fresh. If the game is tight, Kaitlyn should finish the game. Both KK and Kaitlyn should play point and handle the ball majority of the time to keep Paige fresh. The bottom line is we want Paige to keep shooting and scoring while KK and Kaitlyn should set Paige up whenever possible.

 

[jdote33]

It’s not really and obsession on who starts but and obsession by boneyard poster on who is right.

I get this but playing devil's advocate, starters usually play a majority of the minutes. Ashlynn became a starter this season, Q did not. Q ends up not getting minutes in the final 4 game. Geno as of late has played his starters huge minutes. I know in large part due to injury but sill.

 

[DennieEddy]

Apparently, #12 is in the bag. We all hope so.

 

[AmeriConn]

Apparently, #12 is in the bag. We all hope so.

I only wish I could agree.

 

[hoophuskee]

Chen starting instead of Paige? Quite amusing to say the least, but the starting five may not be who we think. We have a lot of talent on this team, and the starters I'm sure will not be finalized until November. Many have the game to start, but the issue will be who plays well with who. Paige will be on the floor of course, bur will she be the 1 or the 2. KK can play with Paige and be the PG, with Chen being the second PG with Azzi at the 2. Having Ice, Sarah, and Jana available, Geno may not be inclined to have a 3-guard offence, let alone a 4-guard offence.

I hoghly doubt Geno wont have a primary 3 guard Offense. He only has Jana, Ice, Patterson. and Sarah until AUbrey comes back - which overall is not near as deep as the guards. And Ayanna is highly qurestionable ealry.

 

[JoePgh]

I hoghly doubt Geno wont have a primary 3 guard Offense. He only has Jana, Ice, Patterson. and Sarah until AUbrey comes back - which overall is not near as deep as the guards. And Ayanna is highly qurestionable ealry.

I agree that the four players that you named will constitute the depth chart for the 4 and 5 positions. But there are other players who are not really guards (although they may be listed that way) who are suitable for the 3 position -- specifically Caroline, Morgan Cheli, Qadence, and Aubrey when she is available. In my opinion, those players (and possibly also Allie Ziebell) are more suitable for a small forward position -- based on size if nothing else --than true guards such as Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Ashlynn, and KK Arnold.

So I would expect to see a depth chart more or less like this:

Front court / paint: Jana, Sarah, Ice, Ayanna
Small forward / wing: Caroline, Morgan, Aubrey, Allie (?), Qadence
Back court: Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Ashlynn, KK, Allie (?)

 

[hoophuskee]

I agree that the four players that you named will constitute the depth chart for the 4 and 5 positions. But there are other players who are not really guards (although they may be listed that way) who are suitable for the 3 position -- specifically Caroline, Morgan Cheli, Qadence, and Aubrey when she is available. In my opinion, those players (and possibly also Allie Ziebell) are more suitable for a small forward position -- based on size if nothing else --than true guards such as Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Ashlynn, and KK Arnold.

So I would expect to see a depth chart more or less like this:

Front court / paint: Jana, Sarah, Ice, Ayanna
Small forward / wing: Caroline, Morgan, Aubrey, Allie (?), Qadence
Back court: Paige, Azzi, Kaitlyn, Ashlynn, KK, Allie (?)

I agree your other lineups as possible too- but Caroline is a wildcard. If she is healthy - certainly,. And Aubrey will not be back "ready" at least mid-January if not late January is my guess?. And Aubrey will also be playing some PF too not just SF. However exciting to think if she were healthy - and have her be the SF on Defense with Sarah as the PF, and they are natural switch on Offense. Jana is another wildcard for me. But for many they are certain for her. I'm more certain for Sarah.

Then I'd put Chen, KK, Ashlynn, Azzi all ahead of Morgan and Q. And if we are to count Allie-- she is a perimeter player only so calling her a SF - I think Paige would be playing the tougher inside player than Allie would be defending. And I believe Allie will be near mostly a perimeter scorer so she plays like a guard.. If she and Paige are 'Wings' then imo Paige is the SF.

With all said I prefer to see Paige as the SF because I believe Azzi/Chen/KK/Ashlynn are soooooooooooo good. And Sarah is a natural PF on Defense. Rather than be being more focused on inside or overall "match-up Defense." If UCONN focuses more on Offense having Paige at the SF with Sarah at the PF - then with the guards UCONN has, that's about as lethal of an Offense as I can imagine if they are all healthy.

Now that Chen will no longer have to be the #1 or number 2 option or probably not even #3 option on Offense, I expect her Offense to be much more efficient along with her and KK able to better handle the quick penetrating guards on Defense. But I agree many options work. I believe though that Paige at the SF allows the guards more playing time and the guards imo are the strength. This would change if Caroline was healthy/on a roll/ in a rhythm. Untikl then imo Gneo will ahve Paige play the 3 mostly in which she is also a pg and a sg.

 

[yhun89]

I agree your other lineups as possible too- but Caroline is a wildcard. If she is healthy - certainly,. And Aubrey will not be back "ready" at least mid-January if not late January is my guess?. And Aubrey will also be playing some PF too not just SF. However exciting to think if she were healthy - and have her be the SF on Defense with Sarah as the PF, and they are natural switch on Offense. Jana is another wildcard for me. But for many they are certain for her. I'm more certain for Sarah.

Then I'd put Chen, KK, Ashlynn, Azzi all ahead of Morgan and Q. And if we are to count Allie-- she is a perimeter player only so calling her a SF - I think Paige would be playing the tougher inside player than Allie would be defending. And I believe Allie will be near mostly a perimeter scorer so she plays like a guard.. If she and Paige are 'Wings' then imo Paige is the SF.

With all said I prefer to see Paige as the SF because I believe Azzi/Chen/KK/Ashlynn are soooooooooooo good. And Sarah is a natural PF on Defense. Rather than be being more focused on inside or overall "match-up Defense." If UCONN focuses more on Offense having Paige at the SF with Sarah at the PF - then with the guards UCONN has, that's about as lethal of an Offense as I can imagine if they are all healthy.

Now that Chen will no longer have to be the #1 or number 2 option or probably not even #3 option on Offense, I expect her Offense to be much more efficient along with her and KK able to better handle the quick penetrating guards on Defense. But I agree many options work. I believe though that Paige at the SF allows the guards more playing time and the guards imo are the strength. This would change if Caroline was healthy/on a roll/ in a rhythm. Untikl then imo Gneo will ahve Paige play the 3 mostly in which she is also a pg and a sg.

Allie is kind of a less versatile Azzi from what I can see. Lights out shooter, but doesn't have great defense.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

Allie is kind of a less versatile Azzi from what I can see. Lights out shooter, but doesn't have great defense.

I hope Allie really commits to defense and rebounding her freshman year. She definitely has the built for it.

 

[LAWDAWG]

Allie will do her Tessa Johnson impression in the NCAA finals next year. From my keyboard to the basketball Gods ears.

 

[Cuango]

According to her HS coach, Allie was the best defensive player on the team and always guarded the opposition’s best player. Now I realize that doesn’t mean she can guard college players but, I think the foundation is there for her to be at least an adequate defender. She is a coaches daughter, I believe. I think she’s going to surprise some people with how college ready she is.

 

[Gus Mahler]

According to her HS coach, Allie was the best defensive player on the team and always guarded the opposition’s best player. Now I realize that doesn’t mean she can guard college players but, I think the foundation is there for her to be at least an adequate defender. She is a coaches daughter, I believe. I think she’s going to surprise some people with how college ready she is.

I think you're right. I just hope she is patient. This year, the numbers are against her.

 

[ju6381]

According to her HS coach, Allie was the best defensive player on the team and always guarded the opposition’s best player. Now I realize that doesn’t mean she can guard college players but, I think the foundation is there for her to be at least an adequate defender. She is a coaches daughter, I believe. I think she’s going to surprise some people with how college ready she is.

What she does well appears in a constant run of games within a team, not so much in an all-star game.

 

[MilfordHusky]

We know that World Exposure Report has been highly incorrect on recruiting, but they rank KC as the #4 overall transfer.

 

[KCD]

According to her HS coach, Allie was the best defensive player on the team and always guarded the opposition’s best player. Now I realize that doesn’t mean she can guard college players but, I think the foundation is there for her to be at least an adequate defender. She is a coaches daughter, I believe. I think she’s going to surprise some people with how college ready she is.

Just to add to your post: she is also more than a great outside shooter. She also drives to the basket and scores through contact and is a good rebounder.