UConn women's basketball team has made a significant addition to their roster with the acquisition of highly talented guard Kaitlyn Chen from Princeton. Known for their reluctance to bring in players from the transfer portal, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma found Chen to be a perfect fit after her successful stints with former Husky and Tigers coach Carla Berube.

Chen's impressive track record includes back-to-back first-team All-Ivy League selections, three consecutive Most Outstanding Player awards at the conference tournament, and being named the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023. Her exceptional performance caught the attention of national scouts, earning her an honorable mention All-American recognition from the WBCA in 2024.

Hailing from San Mario, California, the 5-9 guard showcased her skills by averaging an impressive 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a career-high of 4.9 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. She also exhibited efficiency on the court with a career-best shooting percentage of 48.8% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc.

Chen played a crucial role in leading the Tigers to their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, including a thrilling upset victory over Columbia in the Ivy League tournament. Although their season ended with a loss to West Virginia in the first round, Chen's contributions were invaluable.

Chen becomes UConn's first addition from the transfer portal since Lou Lopez-Senechal joined from Fairfield in 2022. Lopez-Senechal went on to excel and was honored with first-team All-Big East recognition in the 2022-23 season. She was subsequently drafted as the No. 5 overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

While UConn did lose junior forward Amari DeBerry and sophomore guard Ines Bettencourt to the transfer portal, neither had significant playing time in the 2023-24 season. However, with a crowded backcourt in the upcoming 2024-25 season, UConn recognizes the importance of depth, particularly after a season nearly derailed by six season-ending injuries.

Leading the backcourt for the Huskies will be superstar Paige Bueckers, who made an extraordinary comeback in the 2023-24 season, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors and being a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award. Additionally, Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2021, will return after recovering from an ACL tear, and the Huskies will benefit from the return of freshman starters KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade.

With the addition of three incoming freshmen, Kaitlyn Chen boasts an experienced presence among the Huskies' roster, alongside Bueckers and sixth-year player Aubrey Griffin. UConn's signing of three top-15 prospects in the Class of 2024 - Sarah Strong (No. 1), Allie Ziebell (No. 7), and Morgan Cheli (No. 11) - solidifies their position as the only team in the country to achieve such a feat.

UConn women's basketball team is poised for an exciting and competitive 2024-25 season with the inclusion of Kaitlyn Chen, whose proven skills and experience are set to make a significant impact on the team's continued success.