Fudd Around And Find Out

Episode: “Czeching in with National Champion Kaitlyn Chen”

Date: October 17, 2025
Host(s): Azzi Fudd & Ashanti Plummer
Guest: Kaitlyn Chen
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and Unanimous Media

Episode Overview

This lively episode features special guest Kaitlyn Chen, fresh off a WNBA rookie year and currently playing pro basketball in Prague. Hosts Azzi Fudd and Ashanti Plummer dig into Kaitlyn’s journey from Princeton to UConn to the pros, navigating life overseas, and embracing her Taiwanese heritage as a trailblazer. Expect inside stories, real talk about transitions on and off the court, and plenty of laughs—plus, classic team chemistry games and candid answers to fan questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Who is Kaitlyn Chen? (02:39 – 04:53)

• Chen introduces herself and reveals her current location: Prague, Czech Republic.
• Fun Personal Facts
  • Loves to read and really loves bread, to the point where it became a running joke; parents of teammates would bring her loaves and she got a "I heart bread" shirt for her birthday.
    • "At Princeton, ... when I was on [a podcast], the last question the guy asked was what's something people should know about you? ... my mind went blank. So I go, I really like bread." — Kaitlyn Chen (03:44)
• Nickname "Kyle" started after a media day mishap with a black backdrop, leading teammates to joke she looked like a boy.

Transitioning from Princeton to UConn (06:20 – 08:30)

• Biggest Difference:
  • The "five spots" drill, a grueling practice finisher.
    • "It's this one drill... at the end of every practice... everyone has to go through and make their layup in a row for practice to be over." — Kaitlyn Chen (06:31)
• Decision to transfer motivated by wanting the best chance at a national championship and great team vibes.
• Memories of her recruitment visit include meeting the team and her parents joining in "CD games" at a coach's house, highlighting the family atmosphere at UConn.

Reflections on UConn and Teammates (08:18 – 09:03)

• Strong teammate bonds—Ashanti describes how quickly she and Chen became inseparable, even in a year together.
• "There were a few times last season where I was like, oh, thank God. I only have to go through this once." — Kaitlyn Chen (08:34)

Life in Prague: Overseas Pro Experience (09:30 – 15:45)

• How Kaitlyn Landed in Prague:
  • Last minute decision, agent encouraged her, had just 72 hours notice, mom helped get her winter clothes to Europe.
• Typical Day:
  • Practices include lifts, film sessions, and scrimmages; connecting with other American athletes in Prague.
• Differences from NCAA/WNBA:
  • "Sometimes I'll be on the court and I'll be hearing like three different languages all around me, but for the most part, like, everyone speaks English." — Kaitlyn Chen (12:35)
  • More ball movement and selflessness on the court.
• Adventuring and sightseeing, with one free day a week, opportunity to travel in Europe.

WNBA Draft Experience & Representation (17:23 – 22:36)

• Draft Day Emotions:
  • "They sort of tricked me... camera was like, Dallas up next... ended up in California instead."
  • Kaitlyn’s laid-back outlook: if she made a team, great; if not, she’d attend Princeton reunions—a highlight of her year.
    • "If I don't, I get to go to reunions." — Kaitlyn Chen (19:19)
• Advocacy & Support:
  • Paige Bueckers (UConn teammate) publicly supported Kaitlyn’s draft case—demonstrates strong team culture.
    • "That's just like how Paige is, though. Like she's that kind of teammate that's always going to have your back." — Kaitlyn Chen (19:55)
• Making History:
  • First Taiwanese player drafted in the WNBA.
    • "To be able to be a role model for younger Asian American athletes, it means a lot. ... there wasn’t always someone to like look up to." — Kaitlyn Chen (21:00)
• Meeting Jeremy Lin was a brief yet meaningful moment (“everyone knows Jeremy Lin from Linsanity”).

Inside the Valkyries & Fan Culture (21:47 – 22:32)

• Home arena called "Valhalla": constant sellouts, electric atmosphere with 18,000+ fans per game.
• "Playing in Valhalla where it’s like 18,000 fans every night and they go crazy from the start of the game to the end... was pretty special." — Kaitlyn Chen (21:57)
• Described as even more intense than UConn’s Gampel Pavilion.

Team Chemistry & Coaching (24:07 – 24:44)

• Being waived and re-signed did not affect team relationships; Valkyries embraced her upon return.
• Coach Natalie Nakase’s impact: accountability and leadership, especially for point guards.
  • "Whatever happens, if it goes poorly, that's on you... make sure the team is prepared." — Kaitlyn Chen (24:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Adjusting to Pro Ball:
  "I didn't realize how much more physical professional basketball would be compared to college, although I probably should have." — Kaitlyn Chen (13:28)

• On Unique Teammate Traditions:
  "We used to... if we were on trips on the bus, we would Wordle, Connect and Hashtag." — Ashanti Plummer (09:08)
  "If we won a game, I just wear the same socks... same underwear... same sports bra." — Kaitlyn Chen (29:20)

• On Bread... and Birthdays:
  "A loaf of bread. Like a shirt that said I heart bread and like, one of those, like, big stuffed animal loaves." — Kaitlyn Chen (04:45)

• On Family Support (and Dad's Jersey):
  "My dad went to a Golden State vs Dallas game where I was playing and wore a Paige jersey... He loves Paige!" — Kaitlyn Chen (23:12)

Highlights by Segment & Timestamps

Getting to Know Kaitlyn Chen

• Fun facts and personality stories (02:39-05:53)
• Bread obsession and team inside jokes (03:41-04:53)

College & Pro Basketball Transitions

• Major adjustment drills and why choose UConn (06:20-07:18)
• Recruitment visit stories with parents (07:20-07:55)

Life Overseas

• Packing & relocation chaos (10:31-11:06)
• Day-to-day pro basketball life in Prague (11:14-11:57)
• Language barriers and international play (12:35-13:28)
• International travel plans and teammate adventures (14:00-15:53)

WNBA Draft & Representation

• Draft process, Paige’s advocacy (17:23-20:09)
• First Taiwanese WNBA draftee (21:00)
• Jeremy Lin encounter and reconnecting with Asian American trailblazers (21:20)

Valkyries Experience

• Atmosphere at Valhalla, fan engagement (21:47-22:59)
• Returning after being waived, team chemistry (23:44-24:11)
• Coach Nakase’s leadership lessons (24:36-24:44)

Fan Questions & Rapid Fire (28:14-36:09)

• "Welcome to the W" moment: training camp, guarding Veronica (28:28)
• Pregame and superstition routines (28:53-29:36)
• Favorite food spot in the Bay Area, music genre, and bench celebrations (29:41-31:25)
• "Start-Bench-Cut" with Princeton, UConn, Valkyries (32:02)
• “Quad routine” (33:19)
• Dream starting five from all teams (34:44-35:57)

Fudding Games (39:13-47:02)

• "What the Fud of the Week" (39:13): raw chicken before a game, LeBron’s fake retirement ad, Love Island celebrity at a local bar.
• "Eurotrip": Czech grocery store survival, trying new foods, adapting to European team culture (41:37-44:01)
• "Ivy or Auriemma": Guess the quote—Is it Coach Geno or Ivy League wisdom? (44:31-47:02)

Tone & Vibe

• Playful, authentic, and full of group chemistry.
• Azzi and Ashanti bring energy and humor, while Kaitlyn offers sincerity, self-deprecation, and sharp storytelling.
• Candid, supportive atmosphere with teammates lifting one another up and laughing about mishaps.
• Plenty of practical insights about adapting to basketball at the highest levels, living abroad, and celebrating cultural identity.

Conclusion

Kaitlyn Chen’s journey from Ivy League star to National Champion at UConn, to WNBA rookie and then to pro hooping overseas is as dynamic as it is relatable. The episode is packed with practical athlete wisdom, stories about friendship and adjustment, and a behind-the-scenes look at the women’s basketball pipeline. Kaitlyn’s self-awareness, humor, and unfiltered openness—alongside Azzi and Ashanti’s camaraderie—make this a must-listen for sports fans and anyone curious about the real lives of athletes.

Timestamps Cheat Sheet

• 02:39 — Kaitlyn says hi from Prague; fun facts & bread stories
• 06:20 — "Five spots" drill & why she chose UConn
• 09:30 — Bonding at UConn; sauna & Wordle traditions
• 11:14 — A day in the life as a player in Prague
• 12:35 — Language barriers on her Czech team
• 13:28 — Pro ball physicality & international style
• 17:23 — WNBA draft experience, reunions, Paige’s support
• 21:00 — First Taiwanese player in the WNBA
• 21:47 — Valkyries’ “Valhalla” arena and fan culture
• 24:36 — Coach Nakase’s leadership lessons
• 28:28 — Fan Q&A: “Welcome to the W.”
• 32:02 — "Start-Bench-Cut" college & pro teams
• 34:44 — Dream “starting five”
• 39:13 — Fudding Games: "What the Fud?" of the week
• 41:37 — "Eurotrip" culture test
• 44:31 — "Ivy or Auriemma" quote game

Notable Quotes:

• “Whatever happens, if it goes poorly, that’s on you... you’ve got to make sure you’re holding everyone accountable and doing everything within your power to make sure the team is prepared.” — Kaitlyn Chen on Coach Nakase (24:44)
• “To be able to be a role model for younger Asian American athletes, it means a lot.” — Kaitlyn Chen (21:00)

For first-timers and fans alike, this episode delivers a compelling and fun inside look at women’s basketball, identity, and teammate sisterhood.