WNBA Team Faces Challenges with Eurobasket Absences

The WNBA team is feeling the impact of player losses to Eurobasket this month, particularly the Valkyries in Golden State. With their roster brimming with international talent, their situation is understandable. This shift allows them to bring in and evaluate some training camp players who might have otherwise been sidelined.

Contracts have been put on hold for Janelle Surrown, Julie Vanloux, and Cecilia Zandarasini, who are all competing for their national teams in Eurobasket. Surrown and Vanloux represent France, while Zandarasini is with Belgium and Chiara Rinskens with Italy. As a result, the team seems to be looking to fill gaps with players who may be struggling but are within reach.

They started by re-signing Laetyia Amihere, a player who was cut during training camp. Amihere impressed by scoring 20 points in a preseason game, and even though her time with the Atlanta Dream was limited, she gained valuable experience playing for Team Canada in Australia. Following this, the team added several more players, including a veteran.

The Valkyries signed Chloe Bibby, a forward who played college basketball in Maryland but went undrafted in 2013. Bibby has experience in the Australian WNBL and various international leagues, including stints in Poland and Spain. Notably, she also participated in a training camp in Minnesota earlier this year.

Another addition is rookie Caitlin Chen, who transferred from Princeton to UConn, seizing her final NCAA eligibility and helping the Huskies win a national championship. She quickly gained recognition in Connecticut for her dependable game management and adaptability. Drafted in the third round by the Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Draft, she made history as the first Taiwanese American to be selected.

Fans were disheartened when Chen was released toward the end of training camp, especially since she has ties to California. However, she previously signed with the 3×3 Basketball Association before being re-signed by the Valkyries.

Currently, Chen is competing for minutes behind guards Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Carla Late, and Aerial Powers, but she will have opportunities to play soon. Should the team re-sign other players, she might face another release. Still, the experience of practicing, traveling, and possibly playing with the Valkyries is a great opportunity for her development. With the league expanding to include Toronto and Portland, there will soon be 24 more roster spots available, offering a brighter future for young players.

Chen and Bibby are set to be available for the Valkyries as they face the Dallas Wings on June 17th, offering Chen a chance to reunite with former teammates and fellow national champion Page Bookers.