Hailey Van Lith 2025 WNBA: Sun Move, Stats & Updates
Few careers in women’s basketball pivot as quickly as Hailey Van Lith’s has in the past year. Drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in 2025, she was waived weeks later and claimed by the Connecticut Sun — a move that reshaped her rookie season.
Age: 24 (born September 9, 2001) ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun ·
Draft: 2025, Round 1, Pick 11 (Chicago Sky) ·
College: TCU (formerly Louisville, LSU)
Quick snapshot
Confirmed facts
- Drafted by Chicago Sky in 2025 (Sports Illustrated (college sports reporting))
- Claimed by Connecticut Sun off waivers in 2025 (Bleacher Report (WNBA coverage))
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (ESPN (sports news authority))
What’s unclear
- Specific reasons for Chicago’s waiver decision are not publicly detailed (CBS Sports (sports analysis))
- Current relationship status has no official confirmation (CBS Sports (sports analysis))
- Full terms of developmental contract with Connecticut remain undisclosed (CBS Sports (sports analysis))
- Timeline of her ankle injury recovery is not fully public (CBS Sports (sports analysis))
- Long-term role with the Sun is uncertain (CBS Sports (sports analysis))
Timeline signal
- April 2025: Drafted by Chicago Sky (Sports Illustrated)
- May 2025: Waived by Chicago Sky (CBS Sports)
- May 2025: Claimed by Connecticut Sun (Bleacher Report)
What’s next
- Van Lith is expected to compete for a rotation role with the Sun (CBS Sports)
- Her development deal could lead to a longer-term contract (ESPN)
Six key facts that define her profile — from birth date to current team.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hailey Ann Van Lith |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 2001 |
| Position | Guard |
| WNBA Draft | 2025, Round 1, Pick 11 |
| Current Team | Connecticut Sun |
| @haileyvanlith |
What’s going on with Hailey Van Lith?
Connecticut Sun waiver claim
- After being waived by the Chicago Sky, Van Lith was awarded to the Connecticut Sun on a waiver claim in 2025 (Bleacher Report (WNBA roster coverage)).
- The move followed a roster adjustment that activated guard Leïla Lacan (ESPN (sports journalism)).
The waiver claim gave the rookie guard a second chance after Chicago decided to move on quickly.
Van Lith’s claim by an established franchise like Connecticut suggests the league still sees her as a developmental asset despite early struggles.
The implication: A waiver claim so early in her career signals that team evaluations of Van Lith’s potential remain divergent.
TL;DR: Van Lith got a second chance with the Sun after Chicago waived her; her path forward depends on staying healthy and earning a rotation spot.
Developmental deal details
- Van Lith’s contract with the Sun is structured as a developmental deal, according to reporting from CBS Sports (sports news).
Such deals allow teams to evaluate young players without committing to a full roster spot, giving Van Lith a runway to prove herself in practice and limited game action.
The trade-off: Connecticut gambles on her upside at a low cost, while Van Lith bets on earning a guaranteed contract through performance.
2025 season outlook
- Van Lith averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 29 games off the bench for Chicago (Field Level Media (sports wire)).
- She dealt with an ankle injury during her rookie season.
Why this matters: Full health and a consistent role could unlock the scoring potential she displayed in college.
Chicago’s decision to waive her after one season suggests the team preferred immediate roster flexibility over development – a common calculation in the WNBA.
Is Hailey Van Lith in a relationship?
Public relationship status
- Hailey Van Lith has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship as of 2025. Reports linking her to NBA player Jalen Suggs remain unsubstantiated by official sources or statements from either party.
Her social media presence focuses on basketball and personal interests, with no visible confirmation of a partner. The lack of public documentation means her relationship status is best categorized as private.
The pattern: Van Lith has consistently kept her personal life out of the spotlight, a choice that leaves room for speculation but aligns with many athletes’ preference for privacy.
Do Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese get along?
Teammates at LSU
- Van Lith and Reese played together for the LSU Tigers during the 2023–2024 season (ESPN college sports coverage).
- Both were selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft; Reese was taken by the Chicago Sky, and Van Lith also was initially drafted by Chicago before being waived (Sports Illustrated).
Their college tenure together produced mixed team results — LSU reached the Elite Eight but fell short of a championship repeat. Public interactions between the two have been professional, with no reports of conflict or close friendship.
The pattern: Their shared history at LSU provides a foundation, but their professional paths have diverged, making future on-court chemistry an open question.
Why was Hailey Van Lith waived?
Chicago Sky roster decisions
- Chicago waived Van Lith after her rookie season, a move that CBS Sports (sports analysis) described as driven by a style-of-play preference. The team prioritized guards who fit a faster tempo and stronger defensive scheme.
The decision surprised some analysts given her draft position in the first round.
Performance factors
- Van Lith averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 29 games off the bench (Field Level Media).
- She was also dealing with an ankle injury.
The trade-off: Chicago prioritized immediate roster flexibility over waiting for Van Lith to develop, a common calculation in a league with tight salary caps.
Who are other notable WNBA personalities?
Layshia Clarendon
- Layshia Clarendon is a veteran WNBA guard and one of the league’s openly transgender players, known for advocacy and steady play (Wikipedia (general reference)).
7-foot-tall female players
- Stephanie Okechukwu is recognized as the tallest woman in college basketball at over 6 ft 9 in (Wikipedia). No active WNBA player currently reaches 7 feet.
The pattern: These names illustrate the diversity of body types and backgrounds in women’s basketball, but they are not directly connected to Van Lith’s career arc.
Timeline: Hailey Van Lith’s career path
- September 9, 2001: Born in Wenatchee, Washington.
- 2020–2022: Played college basketball at the University of Louisville.
- 2023–2024: Transferred to LSU; played alongside Angel Reese.
- 2024–2025: Transferred to TCU for final college season; led Horned Frogs to Elite Eight (Marquee Sports Network (regional sports coverage)).
- April 2025: Drafted by the Chicago Sky in the first round (11th pick) (Sports Illustrated).
- May 2025: Waived by Chicago Sky; claimed by the Connecticut Sun (Bleacher Report).
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Drafted by Chicago Sky (Sports Illustrated)
- Waived and claimed by Connecticut Sun (Bleacher Report)
- Played for Louisville, LSU, TCU
- Height: 5 ft 8 in
- Born September 9, 2001
What’s unclear
- Specific waiver reasons from Chicago
- Current relationship status
- Full developmental contract terms
- Ankle injury severity and timeline
- Long-term role with Connecticut
Quotes on her 2025 season
“We are excited to add Hailey to our roster.”
Connecticut Sun official statement, via Yahoo Sports on X (social media announcement)
“Van Lith is returning to the Sun on a developmental deal, giving her another opportunity to prove herself.”
CBS Sports report
“Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final college season and led the Horned Frogs to their first Elite Eight appearance.”
For Van Lith, the 2025 season has been a test of resilience. If she can stay healthy and find a rhythm in Connecticut, her first-round pedigree suggests she could still become a steady WNBA contributor. If not, the window for proving she belongs at this level narrows quickly.
instagram.com, foxnews.com, sports.yahoo.com, bleacherreport.com, upi.com, bleacherreport.com
After being waived by the Chicago Sky, Hailey Van Lith was claimed by the Connecticut Sun, a transition detailed in her waiver and Sun move.
Frequently asked questions
What position does Hailey Van Lith play?
She plays guard. Her height (5 ft 8 in) and skill set make her a natural fit for the point guard or shooting guard role.
Where did Hailey Van Lith go to college?
She played for Louisville (2020–2022), LSU (2023–2024), and TCU (2024–2025), finishing her college eligibility at TCU.
What is Hailey Van Lith’s height and weight?
She is listed at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) and approximately 145 lb (65.8 kg).
When was Hailey Van Lith drafted?
She was drafted in 2025, in the first round, with the 11th overall pick.
Which team drafted Hailey Van Lith?
The Chicago Sky selected her in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She was later waived and claimed by the Connecticut Sun.
Did Hailey Van Lith play with Angel Reese?
Yes, they were teammates at LSU during the 2023–2024 season.
What is Unrivaled and is Hailey Van Lith involved?
Unrivaled is a new 3×3 professional basketball league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. As of now, Hailey Van Lith has not been announced as a participant for any Unrivaled season.
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