Valkyries Coach Sends Strong Message About 'Fearless' Kaitlyn Chen

[SVCBeercats]

"I just think [Kaitlyn] is so loved from the basketball world in general. Kaitlyn, she just leaves everything out on the floor," Nakase said, per an X post from Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints. "She'll look at me, and be like 'What do you want to run?' And I was like, 'Well, what do you want to run?' "[She's] someone you can trust, but at the same time, you could see she’s fearless," Nakase continued of Chen.

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[JellyBean]

Aww. Well I am wishing Chen all the best this season. She is a joy to watch out there.

 

[oldude]

It really sounds like Kaitlyn is heading for a regular season roster spot with the Valkyries, which is saying something, considering that she probably had little expectation of playing professionally until her name was called unexpectedly near the end of the WNBA draft.

 

[Boreifs]

It really sounds like Kaitlyn is heading for a regular season roster spot with the Valkyries, which is saying something, considering that she probably had little expectation of playing professionally until her name was called unexpectedly near the end of the WNBA draft.

I disagree. She would be a hot commodity overseas even without making a WNBA roster.

 

[Dugway]

That Valkyrie team has like seven or eight guards on the roster. A whole lot of competition still exists for all of them to get to the league! I hope for the best for each of the two former Husky players!

 

[oldude]

I disagree. She would be a hot commodity overseas even without making a WNBA roster.

My point is that Kaitlyn has a Princeton degree and a very nice future ahead of her. I’m not sure she had any plans to play basketball in the W or anywhere else prior to hearing her name called in the draft.

 

[rugbymate]

not to worry about Ms Chen…should basketball not be in the cards, with her leadership skills, competitiveness and Princeton pedigree the folks at Goldman, Morgan Stanley et Al, would enter a bidding war for her

 

[Skeets]

not to worry about Ms Chen…should basketball not be in the cards, with her leadership skills, competitiveness and Princeton pedigree the folks at Goldman, Morgan Stanley et Al, would enter a bidding war for her

This kid made the best choice of her life, so far, by coming to UConn. A close second is getting a degree from Princeton (or maybe visa versa). I am not worried about her future. The kid should have the world eating out of hand... Next up Inês

 

[Dove]

My only image of Kaitlyn will always be fearlessness. Incredible to watch. Not soft like a trait that plagued past teams.

 

[Forego]

My only image of Kaitlyn will always be fearlessness. Incredible to watch. Not soft like a trait that plagued past teams

Have you forgotten Nika already? I thought she was a pretty fearless point guard for the four seasons immediately prior to Kaitlyn Chen’s transfer.

 

[Dugway]

Just read an article about Juste Jocyte voluntarily walking away from the Valkyries team for the entire season. She apparently is going to play in Lithuania and not just for a short stint.

Copy and paste exert of the article:

EuroBasket could be an even bigger hit for the Valkyries this summer. Besides Jocyte, there are six other members of the team who are expected to represent their countries this summer: Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert, Temi Fagbenle, Julie Vanloo, and Kyara Linskens (France for Leite, Rupert, and Salaün, Great Britain for Fagbenle and Belgium for Vanloo and Linskens).

There are a lot of benefits to signing overseas talent to the WNBA. Players from countries outside of the United States bring their own (often lengthy) experience with high-level basketball and also a different approach and type of basketball IQ to the game. But they also typically come with obligations to their home countries that directly interfere with the WNBA's season.

In the past, players have left their WNBA teams for about two weeks to prepare for EuroBasket at home, and then returned nearly immediately after their teams are no longer in the tournament. No matter what decision the rest of the team makes, the tournament certainly gives the Valkyries the opportunity to get creative with team strategy during this time.

This may be of significance for Kaitlyn; an American, who is not going to go play for her Country this summer in Europe.

 

[Gus Mahler]

This draft pick by the Valks was a real head-scratcher to me. I'd be interested in hearing their thinking behind this.

Just read an article about Juste Jocyte voluntarily walking away from the Valkyries team for the entire season. She apparently is going to play in Lithuania and not just for a short stint.

Copy and paste exert of the article:

EuroBasket could be an even bigger hit for the Valkyries this summer. Besides Jocyte, there are six other members of the team who are expected to represent their countries this summer: Carla Leite, Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert, Temi Fagbenle, Julie Vanloo, and Kyara Linskens (France for Leite, Rupert, and Salaün, Great Britain for Fagbenle and Belgium for Vanloo and Linskens).

There are a lot of benefits to signing overseas talent to the WNBA. Players from countries outside of the United States bring their own (often lengthy) experience with high-level basketball and also a different approach and type of basketball IQ to the game. But they also typically come with obligations to their home countries that directly interfere with the WNBA's season.

In the past, players have left their WNBA teams for about two weeks to prepare for EuroBasket at home, and then returned nearly immediately after their teams are no longer in the tournament. No matter what decision the rest of the team makes, the tournament certainly gives the Valkyries the opportunity to get creative with team strategy during this time.

This may be of significance for Kaitlyn; an American, who is not going to go play for her Country this summer in Europe.

 

[oldude]

This draft pick by the Valks was a real head-scratcher to me. I'd be interested in hearing their thinking behind this.

So the Valkyries have now cut or lost their 1st two draft choices ever. While that bodes well for Kaitlyn, their 3rd choice in the draft, you have to wonder what in hell the GM, coach & owner were thinking. Those first two choices should have been building blocks for an expansion team, in stead of completely wasted picks.

 

[Dugway]

So the Valkyries have now cut or lost their 1st two draft choices ever. While that bodes well for Kaitlyn, their 3rd choice in the draft, you have to wonder what in hell the GM, coach & owner were thinking. Those first two choices should have been building blocks for an expansion team, in stead of completely wasted picks.

It is my understanding that the Valkyries cut Shyanne Sellers which released her from her contractual obligation with that franchise. Juste Jocyte however is still the property of the Valkyries for at least three playing seasons and potentially four if her contract were to be exercised. In essence, although she is not playing for them this summer, if she will want to play in the WNBA into the future, she would be doing so as a Valkyrie. With that, I don't know that it is a complete waste of a draft choice, but I do agree with you in that the choice is diminished!

 

[EricLA]

This draft pick by the Valks was a real head-scratcher to me. I'd be interested in hearing their thinking behind this.

Tend to agree. Would have been nice to have had a conversation with Jocyte BEFORE drafting her to inquire about her intentions for the season.

And cutting Sellers was a real head scratcher to me - especially given the relatively lower level of talent on the team. Sellers was almost instantly picked up by Atlanta - we will see if she sticks there, but I think she's a legit talent and WNBA worthy player...

 

[oldude]

It is my understanding that the Valkyries cut Shyanne Sellers which released her from her contractual obligation with that franchise. Juste Jocyte however is still the property of the Valkyries for at least three playing seasons and potentially four if her contract were to be exercised. In essence, although she is not playing for them this summer, if she will want to play in the WNBA into the future, she would be doing so as a Valkyrie. With that, I don't know that it is a complete waste of a draft choice, but I do agree with you in that the choice is diminished!

That’s all well and good if the Valkyries have a firm understanding with Jocyte and she shows up next season. But I sure wouldn’t be comfortable about her if I were the GM.