PHOENIX — With the news of Kaitlyn Chen being waived by the Golden State Valkyries, fans shared their reactions to the news including Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally.
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May 6, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Chen was drafted in the third round of this year’s WNBA draft and No. 30 overall out of UConn. She only played in two preseason games for the Valkyries before being cut from the final roster.
TikTok user @emmasdilemmas98 posted a video to question the decision. The fan specifically called out the Valkyries for “using [Chen] for clout” and showcasing her as the “first Taiwanese player” to play in the WNBA.
May 11, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) against the Golden State Valkyries during a preseason game at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sabally commented on the video, saying Chen was given an opportunity that many people don’t have the chance to get.
“She was introduced to the [Golden State] fanbase,” she wrote. “She got waived because she wasn’t good enough yet.”
Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally responds to a fan’s opinion on the release of Kaitlyn Chen on TikTok on May 15, 2025. Credits – @emmasdilemmas98/TikTok
The comment caused a stir of reactions, with some users calling out Sabally.
“This was so unnecessary for you to have commented as a vet,” one user said.
“Satou… this was an inside thought,” another user wrote.
Sabally left another comment on a stitched video of the original, agreeing that Golden State could have handled the entire decision better.
Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally responds to a fan’s opinion on the release of Kaitlyn Chen on TikTok on May 15, 2025. Credits – @emmasdilemmas98/TikTok
“This is why we are negotiating a new CBA,” Sabally wrote. “She should [definitely] get compensated for jersey sales! But, isn’t it special that her family and friends still get to have her [WNBA] jersey [with] her name? Like, that’s a dream come true for so many. And I wish her the best.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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