Geno Auriemma and UConn have been almost synonymous with success in recent decades. Auriemma recently earned his 13th Big East Coach of the Year award. Which is a credit to his winning mentality and the powerhouse he has turned the Huskies’ program into. However, it’s not just Auriemma, it’s the players that have thrived under his guidance as well. And that’s where it gets interesting. The basketball world had primarily centered around Paige Bueckers and her eventual entry in the WNBA Draft soon, but Auriemma just turned everyone’s attention to another UConn player: Kaitlyn Chen.

Paige Bueckers is the headline-grabber and has been for some time as the 2025 WNBA Draft inches closer. However, as the Dallas Wings (who own that No. 1 pick), the Los Angeles Sparks, and Chicago Sky all begin putting their draft boards together, another Uconn standout has begun to emerge: Kaitlyn Chen. While Bueckers will surely get most of the attention, don’t be shocked if Chen begins grabbing some of it.

Interestingly, Geno has been extremely outspoken about how much Chen has improved this season. According to sources, “GMs and coaches that have visited UConn practices have all been impressed with how much Chen has improved this season. Particularly in her 3-point shooting.” Geno has specifically talked about how much stronger she’s gotten this season.

But it isn’t just her on-court play that is getting attention. Chen has also found herself becoming more of a leader this season, another thing she’s take from Princeton and brought to UConn. She’s found a way to quietly lead by example and keep her teammates from losing focus. Helping her become even more critical to UConn’s success this season. She’s kind of becoming the quiet leader.

As the 2025 draft draws closer, Kaitlyn Chen is a name that might not have been on everyone’s radar at the start of the season. But it’s one you should keep an eye on.

Geno Auriemma’s legacy of WNBA talent

Geno Auriemma’s coaching legacy is indeed remarkable, having coached key figures in women’s basketball. Such as Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Tina Charles. All of whom have also notably contributed to the WNBA. “What those 11 national championships mean to me is how many great players I’ve had the opportunity to coach, how many great people have come through our program,” Auriemma stated. And it’s true; it’s not just the titles. It’s the type of pros UConn has produced.

In fact, nowadays, it feels like every WNBA team has an ex-Husky on their roster. 47 UConn graduates have played in the WNBA, 17 of whom are on the rosters this year. Clearly, Auriemma’s fingerprints are all over the WNBA.

Auriemma has always been about building a culture of success, and that’s clear in how he develops players. “Success respects success. Regardless of how it’s achieved. The great ones know this. They know how hard it is to accomplish, they focus more on self-improvement. They are called ‘Winners,’” he says.

So when Auriemma speaks of Kaitlyn Chen, it isn’t the prattling of a coach about a great player. It is a preview into what her future will look like through the eyes of one of the greatest coaches to ever do it. While Bueckers is the obvious name, don’t sleep on Chen. As the 2025 draft nears in just a couple years time, it’s obvious that one of the greats has given yet another endorsement of a potentially great player.