New Valkyries draft selections Kaitlyn Chen and Shyanne Sellers chat with GM Ohemaa Nyanin

Press conference from 2025-04-16

Transcript from introductory press conference, 2025-04-16

OHEMAA NYANIN:

Good morning. Today’s a really special day for us. We’re super excited to welcome two out of our three draftees from Monday. Seems a little bit ago, but it just happened—and it was a really historic day in our franchise, to be able to bring elite-level talent to our team.

I have really thoughtful, competitive, hungry, deserving athletes sitting next to me. To be one of the first athletes to be drafted to our franchise, I would say, is nothing short of amazing. You all know the history of our organization and the history that we are continuing to build.

And I’m just really, really, really thankful for the opportunity to be able to welcome our number 17 pick, Shyanne Sellers from the University of Maryland and our number 30 pick, Kaitlyn Chen from UConn.

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Managing the quick turnaround? How are you managing that?

KAITLYN CHEN:

I feel like for me it’s been a lot of just taking deep breaths and sort of enjoying each moment, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

So making sure I make the most of winning the national championship, then having the best time at the draft with my teammates, and now being here and being able to experience this with Shyanne—just taking everything in and making the most of it.

SHYANNE SELLERS:

Yeah, and just kind of piggybacking off Kaitlyn—so many people want to be in our position. We’re super grateful for the opportunity. It’s super exciting.

You know, you hit adulting really fast—you go from having everything scheduled for you to just being a pro now. So I’m just super excited and I can’t wait to see what we do.

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REPORTER:

How have you been able to change your mindset from college to being a pro?

SHYANNE SELLERS:

I mean, it’s kind of crazy to say—I feel like I’m still just a little kid. But I mean, we have to get our minds right.

It’s gonna be fun getting to lean on Tip, Monique Billings, Kate Martin, and all those young people—but also, they’re super competitive. So I think we have a really great core, and we could really do something.

KAITLYN CHEN:

Yeah, adding on to what Shy just said, I feel like there are a lot of great people to look up to. Just being a sponge, taking it all in and learning from them. They’re really good at what they do, so just trying to learn from them.

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REPORTER:

When you walk into this organization, what goes through your mind?

SHYANNE SELLERS:

I think just excitement. You see how much they’ve invested in their team—well, I guess I should say our team.

The facilities are amazing. The people are so genuine and nice. That’s just something so exciting to see and be a part of.

KAITLYN CHEN:

Yeah. I think she covered it all. Just a lot of excitement. And the best part is seeing how much people care around here and how genuinely excited they are for this team.

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REPORTER:

This is a brand-new team. What does it mean to be part of building something from the ground up?

KAITLYN CHEN:

I think it’s really special, especially because so many people have poured so much into making this happen.

And to be the first draftees of this team is pretty special. I mean—we’re the first, but we certainly won’t be the last.

SHYANNE SELLERS:

Yeah, again—I think it’s super exciting. But also, I feel like we’re kind of looked at as underdogs. And I love taking on that role.

The best thing about it is that no one knows what to expect from us. We get to write our own story and create our own destiny. And I think that’s the most exciting part.

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REPORTER:

Tell us about your college coaches and how they’ve prepared you.

SHYANNE SELLERS:

Yeah, I mean, Coach B [Brenda Frese] is one of the best coaches out there. Every day in practice is a battle. You’re going to be put in crazy situations to make sure you make it out—and you’ve been battle-tested.

That’s something that’s going to help me in the long run here. Just making sure I’m an ultimate competitor. I want to compete at the highest level. I want to win. I hate losing. So bringing that to the W is going to help me tremendously.

KAITLYN CHEN:

I’ve learned so much from both of my coaches. I wouldn’t be here without either of them. They’ve helped me grow on the court tremendously—and mentally too.

Playing at UConn, just playing under all the pressure and expectations, has prepared me to take on this challenge.

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REPORTER:

Being one of the few Asian American athletes at the highest level?

KAITLYN CHEN:

Yeah, I think it's really special that I'm able to be in this position. I feel like growing up there haven't been a ton of Asian American athletes playing at the highest level.

So, to be able to sort of be that role model for younger Asian Americans and Asians in general is definitely really special and I hope that I can be someone that they can look up to.

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REPORTER:

What have your first two days in the Bay Area been like?

KAITLYN CHEN:

Yeah, I'm a big fan of the Bay Area. My sister is actually just living here this past year, and last year, and I got the chance to visit her a few times over the summer, and love it here.

SHYANNE SELLERS:

I’ve been to the Bay once—played my junior year NCAA tournament here. But yeah, I’m excited to get to know all the hot spots, get some great eats, and see what the town’s about.

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REPORTER:

What will help you contribute?

SHYANNE SELLERS:

I think just like my versatility, being able to slide to multiple positions, and just being able to pick up things quickly, I think those are going to be the things that help me tremendously going forward.

KAITLYN CHEN:

I think my ability to sort of fit into whatever role that my team needs me to play will certainly help me.

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REPORTER:

Falling to the second round?

SHYANNE SELLERS:

You know, it’s not about the number—it’s about the fit. And I think I fit in here great.

I’m happy they decided to pick me and that I can be somewhere where I’m loved. I’m just excited, honestly.

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Ticket sales beyond the season ticket sales?

OHEMAA NYANIN:

So thankfully I have a business team that is doing all of this and it's led by my… human Jess Smith and so I don't know the answer to that question because I have very much focused in on these athletes and the draft process but I'm sure that there will be somebody here that will be able to answer the question. But I just want to continue to go on the record to say to have 10,000 fans already purchasing season tickets for a team that hasn't fully been put together is incredible. There are no words to describe how much faith the Bay Area has in our franchise more specifically and we're really grateful and I can't wait for these athletes to just feel the love from all of them.

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Being drafted in front of UConn teammates?

KAITLYN CHEN:

It was a really special moment. My teammates have been there for me this whole year. They’re some of my closest friends, and I’m just so glad they were able to be there and experience that with me.

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REPORTER:

I have five questions. First question is for the coach. What made you decide to select these two players? And what do you think of their character? And why do you think they're your best choice for the draft? And another question is for both players, because I think both of you joined the Warriors game last night. How do you think about watching a so tight game and so exciting game? How do you feel about that?

OHEMAA NYANIN:

Yeah, so your first question is, how do they fit as humans within our team? Why did we select them? So it's always nice to talk about people in a really positive way when they're sitting right next to you. [LAUGHTER] Both of them are thoughtful, right? They care about the people on either side of them. and they care about their teammates. They have shown loyalty within their collegiate experiences. I would say they're also very competitive. They know the game, they know what they can bring and no day is gonna go wasted because they know what type of opportunity that they've been given. So there haven't been a lot of conversations about like get ready, do this, do that. I already know based off of the conversations that we have that they're already mentally and physically preparing for this very competitive training camp. And I'll kick it to you guys to talk about how your Warriors game experience was yesterday.

KAITLYN CHEN:

The atmosphere in there was amazing. It was so loud. I think we're so lucky to be able to also play in that exact same atmosphere and we're just looking forward to May 16th.

SHYANNE SELLERS:

Yeah, like Kaitlyn said—we’re super excited to play there. It was a great atmosphere.

Definitely was fangirling over Steph Curry. But it was just an awesome place to be, and I can’t wait to play there.

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KAITLYN CHEN:

I think I’m really grateful to be part of this organization, especially with so many people that have poured so much into this.

Going off what Ohemaa said about us—I think they’re also just as thoughtful and caring.

And to have this much support coming into such a tough league means a lot.

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Juste Jocyte’s arrival?

OHEMAA NYANIN:

Still haven’t had the opportunity to chat with her. But in the next couple of days, for sure—I’m sure I’ll have that answer.

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