From UConn Huskies to the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers’ rise to dominance has been anything but quiet. But this time, the Wings guard credited someone who didn’t have much noise around her.

“Most underrated player? I’mma say, Kaitlyn Chen,” Bueckers said, per the latest X video posted by Sports Illustrated on August 12, 2026.

Unlike Bueckers (first-round No.1 overall pick, 2025 draft), her former teammate Chen faced some difficulties before being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the third round, 30^th overall. The 5’9 guard is averaging 7.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this season.

But the stats sometimes don’t show the true impact of players, and Bueckers knows that. For example, the Valkyries’ 90-82 loss against the Washington Mystics on July 20. Despite the loss, Chen came off the bench for 24 minutes, added 20 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds.

Surprisingly for her height, Chen shoots 54.4% from the field, 34.9% from the 3P arc and 70.3% FTs. Her scoring surges are no joke, and Bueckers saw it firsthand when Chen delivered a 15-point performance against South Carolina in the Elite Eight (2024-25 NCAA season).

Moreover, Bueckers had seen it recently, too. And even this time, the Wings star didn’t hesitate to credit her former teammate.

Paige Bueckers on Kaitlyn Chen’s Game

Two UConn alums had their first on-court meeting of the season on June 17, which ended with a 91-80 victory for the Valkyries. In that game, Chen left the bench for 25 minutes and scored 15 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Bueckers had to praise that game.

“Being around Kaitlyn, she always works hard,” the Wings guard stated via an X clip posted by Mercury News reporter Joseph Dycus. “She's always had it in her. When an opportunity has been given to her, she's run with it. She's just confident.”

“She affects the game in so many ways,” Bueckers added. “Tonight, just getting penetrations, getting to the rim. She has one of the best layup packages I've ever seen.”

While Bueckers’ remarks highlight the close bond these two share, it also proves that the Wings star notices what many don’t. Kaitlyn Chen is one formidable force the league shouldn’t sleep on.

Who is the most underrated WNBA player in your opinion? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy