A familiar connection has been forged in the WNBA as former LSU teammates, Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, will now be playing together on the Chicago Sky.
The Sky selected Van Lith with the 11th pick in the 2025 draft, bringing a highly-regarded talent to join forces with Reese in the Windy City. This marks another chapter in Van Lith’s decorated career, which already includes significant accolades both on and off the court.
Throughout her five seasons of collegiate basketball, Van Lith has consistently demonstrated an ability to elevate teams, appearing on three Elite Eight squads. She also recently returned from Paris with a bronze medal, having been part of the U.S. women’s 3×3 basketball team that competed in the 2024 Olympic Games.
This year, Van Lith solidified her position as a top prospect through an exceptional season at TCU. Her performance saw impressive statistical gains, including:
- A career-high field goal percentage of 45.9%
- An average of 17.9 points per game
- 4.6 rebounds per game
- 5.4 assists per game
These contributions earned her prestigious recognition, with Van Lith being named both the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Year. She was instrumental in leading TCU to their first-ever Big 12 title after securing the regular season championship.
Van Lith’s collegiate journey began at Louisville, where she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She earned First Team All-ACC honors for two consecutive years and helped lead the Cardinals to the Final Four in 2022.
Prior to joining TCU, Van Lith spent a season alongside Reese at LSU. While her scoring output was lower during that year—averaging 11.6 points with a 37.8% shooting percentage—she now returns to elite form, proving her readiness for the professional game.
“Hailey’s skillset and competitive drive will be invaluable to our team,” stated Sky General Manager James Wade. “Her ability to create opportunities both for herself and her teammates makes her a perfect fit for what we’re building here in Chicago.”
The Sky had previously selected Slovenia’s Ajsa Sivka with the 10th pick before securing Van Lith, demonstrating their commitment to bolstering their roster with dynamic players.
