Golden State Valkyries fans were surprised when news broke that guard Julie Van Loo was waived, despite averaging 4.6 points per game. Many questioned why Chen—who has slightly better stats—was retained instead. But a deeper look reveals that the decision went far beyond the numbers. Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story Vanloo brought solid perimeter shooting and veteran presence. However, Chen has been consistently outperforming her in both playmaking and defensive coverage. Her court vision, assist-to-turnover ratio, and ability to read plays have made her invaluable in high-pressure moments. The Leadership Factor What many may not realize is that Chen also brings strong leadership pedigree. As a former collegiate team captain, she’s known for rallying her teammates, maintaining composure during adversity, and setting the tone in the locker room. Valkyries coaching staff has repeatedly emphasized the importance of chemistry and communication—areas where Chen naturally t...