Kaitlyn - the face of the Valkyries?

[HuskyNan]

UConn Nation does love its Huskies

Valkyries fans are already obsessed with this unexpected rookie sensation

The Golden State Valkyries third-round pick may turn out to be the first face of the franchise.

fansided.com

 

[oldude]

There is a perfect storm that has seemingly come together for Kaitlyn and the Valkyries. As the article suggests, her role on a national championship UConn team, the large Asian-American population in the Bay Area, the fact that the Valkyries will not have the pressure to win immediately and the obvious point that Kaitlyn is an impressive young lady all point to her being on the team once the regular season begins.

The 17,000+ fans that showed up for the Valkyries 1st exhibition game at home didn’t hurt either. I am predicting a packed house on July 25 when the Wings come to town.

 

[victor64]

I have been rewatching some tournament games. Kaitlyn was so consistently good. She was a little streaky from outside but her decision-making and defense were overshadowed by the star power of others. Clearly showed that she was not intimidated by the bigness of the final games. Golden State got a steal but the Boneyard knew that.

 

[jdubct]

I loved the way Kaitlyn came in played for Uconn. On the margin, if it's closely between her and another guard, she'll get the roster spot based on fan approval. Best of luck to Kaitlyn!

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Cali born and bred should help.

 

[Inthepaint]

People are seeing what Geno saw ( and I didn’t) and he he grabbed her last summer
She got measurably better as the game s got tougher.
Coaches s, teammates and fans tend to like that kind of thing

 

[Stagnant]

We will find out this week if she makes the team. Won’t be easy.

 

[Bone Dog]

I' with @LwrcasefaN on this one. She's act hometown girl, so to speak, and a natural fan favorite. All the teams are sensitive to the need to sell tickets and have to weigh this in roster decisions. But an expansion team may have to pay even more attention to this.

 

[EricLA]

I just don't see her making the team. Don't get me wrong - rooting for her big time, but played only limited minutes in the 2nd exhibition game, didn't show much, and while she may be a fan favorite, I'm not sure I see GS keeping her. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[Stagnant]

I just don't see her making the team. Don't get me wrong - rooting for her big time, but played only limited minutes in the 2nd exhibition game, didn't show much, and while she may be a fan favorite, I'm not sure I see GS keeping her. Hope I'm wrong!

I have been thinking about a scenario that sees several Valkyrie players leave the team to go play eurobasket. So, even if she is cut… maybe there is a potential for her to be called back in June when that happens?

But yes. Golden state has to cut like 5-6 players this week. And some of the people she might be contending against looked pretty good. Bibby for example.

 

[Cuango]

I just don't see her making the team. Don't get me wrong - rooting for her big time, but played only limited minutes in the 2nd exhibition game, didn't show much, and while she may be a fan favorite, I'm not sure I see GS keeping her. Hope I'm wrong!

I want to disagree but I’m afraid you’re right.

 

[gold2323]

I am betting she will make the team
Coach likes how she plays
Several injuries to other players most recently
Eurobasket
And of course….she is a player

 

[oldude]

I just don't see her making the team. Don't get me wrong - rooting for her big time, but played only limited minutes in the 2nd exhibition game, didn't show much, and while she may be a fan favorite, I'm not sure I see GS keeping her. Hope I'm wrong!

In a similar situation it was difficult to see Nika making Seattle last year, but at the end of the day the Storm kept a player who was a fan favorite but destined for a spot on the end of the bench. Hopefully, that scenario plays out for Kaitlyn as well.