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Around this time last year, the Chicago Sky appeared to be building their future around two promising young stars, Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith. However, both players are now no longer part of the organization following a series of roster changes.
Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream last month, and on Monday, the Sky moved on from Van Lith as well, waiving the guard just months after selecting her in the first round of the
2025 WNBA Draft with the 11th overall pick.
Van Lith's release came as a surprise to some, especially after a strong showing in the preseason. Over two games, she averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting an efficient 71.4 percent from the field. In one standout performance against the Phoenix Mercury, she scored 20 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night.
Despite that momentum, Van Lith struggled to secure a steady role during her rookie season. She averaged 3.5 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances. She did not start a single game and faced difficulties from long range, shooting just 16.1 percent from three-point range, a notable weakness for a guard at the professional level.
The 5-foot-9 guard from Wenatchee, Washington entered the league with significant attention after a standout college career. In her final season at TCU, she led the Horned Frogs to their first Big 12 championship and their first ever Elite Eight appearance. Her performance earned her All-American honors, Big 12 Player of the Year recognition, and another NCAA Tournament All-Region selection, the third of her college career.
Van Lith's collegiate journey began at Louisville, where she spent three seasons and helped the team reach the Final Four. She later transferred to LSU, playing a key role on a roster that also featured Reese, before finishing her career at TCU. Across 172 college starts, she averaged 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 33.8 percent from three-point range.
Her basketball résumé also includes international success. She won a bronze medal with the United States 3x3 team at the 2024 Olympic Games and earned two gold medals in FIBA youth World Cup competition.
The Sky have continued reshaping their roster, also waiving rookies Latasha Lattimore and Tonie Morgan in recent days as they adjust their lineup for the future.
