NEW YORK — No matter which team Hailey Van Lith was playing for during her five-year college career, her seasons always ended similarly. Earlier this month, Van Lith competed in the Elite Eight for the fifth time in as many years. Over her first three seasons at Louisville, her 2023-24 season at LSU, and most recent year at TCU, she became the first player in NCAA history — men’s or women’s — to reach that point of the tournament with three different teams.
The Chicago Sky took notice. No matter what system Van Lith competed in, she helped the program succeed.
“I’d say her biggest skill is her ability to adjust, adapt and still come out on top,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said.
The Sky hope Van Lith can replicate her college successes in the pros, after she was selected No. 11 in Monday’s WNBA Draft. Although she was a college star, Van Lith will likely be part of Chicago’s supporting cast, especially in the short term. Veterans will be playing in front of her, and she will need to adjust to the WNBA’s size and physicality. How well Van Lith adapts to the professional ranks will determine her career path — her longevity in the league, what role she ends up playing, and whether, over time, she can grow into a W star.
Hailey Van Lith is heading to…
