UConn’s Kaitlyn Chen drops 2-word reaction as Brooklyn Nets sign 23-year-old baller

UConn Huskies star Kaitlyn Chen gave a shout-out to the former Princeton Tigers small forward Tosan Evbuomwan after the Brooklyn Nets signed him to a two-way deal. Chen posted an image of the Nets announcing the deal on her Instagram story on Wednesday.

"Yay toe!!" Chen wrote.

Chen's message to Evbuomwan (Credits: Instagram/@kaitlyn.chen)

Kaitlyn Chen and Evbuomwan suited up for the Princeton Tigers during their college basketball careers. Chen started playing for Princeton in 2021 and stayed with the Tigers until the 2023-24 season. She then transferred to UConn for her senior season. Meanwhile, Evbuomwan played for Princeton from 2019 to 2023 before he turned professional.

Evbuomwan's road to the league wasn't easy as he went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft. He then joined the Detroit Pistons for their Summer League campaign that same year. The Pistons signed him to a deal on Oct. 2, 2023, but his stay with the team was short-lived as Detroit waived him 19 days later.

Evbuomwan got another shot at playing in the NBA on Jan. 30, 2024, when the Memphis Grizzlies signed the Motor City Cruise forward to a 10-day contract. He finally made his NBA debut on Feb. 2, when he saw action against the Golden State Warriors.

After the Grizzlies did not renew his contract, the Pistons offered Evbuomwan a spot on their team on Feb. 23. He stayed with Detroit until Oct. 16, when the Pistons waived him again. Evbuomwan got some good news to start 2025, with Brooklyn agreeing to a two-way contract playing for the Long Island Nets.

Kaitlyn Chen, UConn Huskies start 2025 with a win over Marquette

Kaitlyn Chen and the No. 7 UConn Huskies improved their record to 12-2 after beating the Marquette Golden Eagles 77-45 in their Big East showdown on New Year's Day. Chen scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists in 22 minutes of action.

UConn Huskies guard Kaitlyn Chen (#20) attacks the defense of Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Olivia Miles (#5) in the first half of their NCAA game at the Purcell Pavilion. Photo: Imagn

Chen has been a regular starter for Geno Auriemma since joining the Huskies this 2024-25 NCAA season, averaging 6.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds through 14 games. She shot 2-of-3 from the field and made both of her free-throw attempts against Marquette.

Chen and the Huskies will return to action on Sunday as they play against Villanova at the Finneran Pavilion.