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NEW YORK — Kaitlyn Chen committed to UConn women’s basketball on May 1, 2024, transferring into the program after four years at Princeton.
She won a national championship with the Huskies 340 days later in Tampa, Florida.
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Aubrey Griffin came to Storrs in 2019 and left in 2025 as the program’s first-ever sixth-year player. The combo guard returned after two season-ending injuries to help lead the Huskies to their 12th national title alongside Chen.
On April 14, 2025, exactly 348 days after signing with UConn, Chen heard her name called in the WNBA Draft. And moments later, so did Griffin.
Chen was selected No. 30th overall, No. 5 in the third round, by the Golden State Valkyries in Monday’s 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed. Griffin was the No. 37th overall pick selected by the Minnesota Lynx.
Both were at the draft in support of Paige Bueckers, who went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings. They sat in the stands with the rest of the Huskies and were surprised to hear their names called, not expecting to especially after the picks trickled down to the final round. Once their names were called, the Husky team jumped out of their seats to hug the two seniors and congratulate them.
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“Honestly, I’m still in a little bit of shock, it’s all a little overwhelming,” Chen said. ” I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted, and I’m so happy for her, but it’s been an unreal night. … Caroline (Ducharme) next to me kept telling me to like, ‘Be ready.’ She almost didn’t let us use the bathroom just in case.”
This year’s draft marks the seventh straight year the Huskies have had at least two players selected in the same WNBA Draft and the 17th time in 29 drafts that the program has had multiple players selected in a single draft.
“This year, I’ve been through a lot, physically and mentally, and just to be present in this moment; I’m so grateful and just blessed,” Griffin said. “I’m so excited. I got to share the moment with Kate and Paige, and I’m just super happy to be here.”
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 14: Aubrey Griffin reacts after being selected with the 37th pick during the third round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 14, 2025 in New York City.
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Chen is the 49th Husky, the ninth Ivy League graduate, and fourth Princeton alumna, to be drafted into the WNBA. Griffin is the 50th Husky to be drafted.
While she was only with UConn for one season, Chen helped the Huskies with her poise, leadership and playmaking abilities. The California native started all 40 of UConn’s games this year and averaged 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.37 assists per contest.
Chen transferred to UConn for her fifth and final year of eligibility last spring since the Ivy League does not allow student-athletes to compete for more than four years. Chen began at Princeton in 2020, however; the Ivy League did not hold athletic competition in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 14: (R-L) Kaitlyn Chen poses for a photo with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 30th pick in the third round by the Golden State Valkyries during the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 14, 2025 in New York City.
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In her three complete seasons for the Tigers, Chen was one of the team’s biggest stars under head coach, and former Husky star, Carla Berube. The point guard totaled 1,276 points, 359 assists and 313 rebounds with the Tigers. She was the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year.
Chen boosted her stock even more her senior year at Princeton, when she averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds. She was named 2024 WBCA All-America Honorable Mention and became a two-time First Team All-Ivy selection and a three-time Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
“I was lucky enough to have such a great time at Princeton and be so successful there, and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to come to UConn, so I think I’m just taking everything as it goes. And it’s been a pretty great ride so far,” Chen said. “… I’m just really grateful that (Geno Auriemma) gave me the opportunity to come to UConn and be able to learn from him and play alongside such great teammates and give me the chance to play college basketball at the highest level and win a natty.”
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The 5-foot-9 San Marino, Calif. native graduated from Princeton in 2024 with a medical anthropology degree and will graduate from UConn in May with a master’s degree in sports management. After her parents flew multiple red-eye flights from California to Connecticut almost weekly to watch the Huskies, Chen said she’s excited to be back playing in her home state.
“My parents have been through so much with me, and they’ve been there for every step of the way,” Chen said. “I know that red-eye across the country to the East Coast is not the easiest. So, I’m glad it will now be an hour flight for them instead of five. It means a lot to be able to go back to the West Coast.”
This is Golden State’s first-ever draft as the franchise will host its debut season in the WNBA this summer. The Valkyries had the fifth pick in each of the three rounds and also drafted Juste Jocyte from Lithuania and Shyanne Sellers out of Maryland. Chen will team up with former Husky star Tiffany Hayes in Golden State.
Griffin is the first Husky to play six years under Geno Auriemma in Storrs. From 2019 to 2025, the combo guard/forward has been a staple presence in the Huskies’ lineup, making an impact both as a starter and an off-the-bench spark.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 14: (R-L) Aubrey Griffin poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 37th pick during the third round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 14, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The Ossining, N.Y. native grew up just an hour north of Manhattan and graduated from UConn in 2023 with a degree in women’s studies.
“It means a lot,” Griffin said of getting drafted in her home state. “This moment in general, I can’t even put into words, but I’m just super grateful, and it means a lot coming from New York and just my whole journey from being at Ossining to UConn to now, here. It’s surreal. “
Griffin was expected to be a higher pick in last year’s WNBA Draft; however, she tore her ACL in January 2024 and decided to return to Storrs for one more year and delay her jump to the professional stage until this spring. Because of her ACL injury, Griffin sat out the second half of last season and the first half of this season recovering. She returned to the court in mid-January and while she showed glimpses of her dominant athleticism and skill, she struggled to stay healthy.
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The graduate senior sat out all three games of the Big East Tournament due to knee soreness and only played more than 10 minutes in nine of the 16 games she played in this season. When healthy, Griffin is the team’s most reliable sixth player and can guard all five positions and handle contact like a pro. She isn’t afraid to crash the boards or drive through crowded lanes. Her ability to spark energetic runs for the Huskies came in clutch throughout her career in Storrs, and most recently during the Elite Eight against USC.
Griffin compiled 986 points and 680 rebounds at UConn. Her ACL injury was her second season-ending injury as a Husky after sitting out her true junior year, 2021-22, due to back surgery.
“I honestly didn’t think I would get picked,” Griffin said after getting drafted. “So I’m just super grateful that I can be able to continue playing the game that I love. I’m just lost for words right now.”
Griffin was a 2023 All-Big East Honorable Mention and shares UConn’s program record for most consecutive made field goals with Rebecca Lobo after making 11 straight against Princeton in 2022.
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The Lynx finished last season as runner-ups to the WNBA Champs, the New York Liberty. Led by fellow former Husky star Napheesa Collier, the Lynx are looking to run it back this year and bring home their first WNBA title since 2017. In Minnesota, Griffin will team up with Collier and fellow former Huskies Dorka Juhász and Christyn Williams.
“I’m just gonna go in and learn from my vets and just be a sponge, soak up everything and just stay overall present and just work hard, get better every day,” Griffin said.
