The 2025 WNBA Draft felt different as it welcomed top prospects the league has been waiting years to see. And one of them was Hailey Van Lith. A star since her high school days, she pulled up to the draft ready to hear her name called after an incredible season at TCU. If you didn’t know, she recently led the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance in history. And with a proud smile, she looked amazing on the Orange carpet. To uplift her look, she wore a sleek black mini dress covered in sequins, paired with black heels and a matching clutch. But it wasn’t really her outfit that made waves.

As Van Lith made her way through the draft festivities, she stopped for an interview with two hosts, one of them being WNBA star Rickea Jackson. And then, the TCU star was asked about her goals for the W, and as usual, she answered thoughtfully. Mid-sentence, while earnestly discussing how she needed to “improve my playmaking ability, my playmaking efficiency,” something unexpected happened.

Suddenly, Chiney Ogwumike casually strolled right across the camera’s path. The moment could’ve derailed the conversation—but instead, it turned into pure gold.

Rather than showing any frustration, Van Lith simply paused and smiled, offering a radiant, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Rickea Jackson, standing beside her, chimed in with warm support: “You’re a star. You’re sparkling.” Van Lith, catching the vibe, added with a laugh, “The sparkle—I need to step out.”

Jackson closed the wholesome moment with a playful, “Thank you so much, Hailey,” and an approving nod toward the unexpected guest. In handling that interruption with such poise and grace, Van Lith showed she’s got something many rookies don’t: patience.

And that’s something that aligns well with what the Chicago Sky are looking for. Van Lith’s collegiate career proves she’s not just poised, she’s powerful. Averaging 17.9 points per game, she’s earned numerous accolades, including Big 12 Player of the Year.

She also posted an impressive shooting split, hitting nearly 45% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. That’s why the Chicago Sky selected her as the 11th overall pick. But there’s another reason her name lit up draft boards, this pick reunited Van Lith with her former LSU teammate, Angel Reese.

“We ain’t do it right the first time. Let’s run it backkkkk,” penned Reese, clearly thrilled. Their previous collaboration during the 2023–24 season led LSU to the Elite Eight too. So yeah, we can expect a WNBA playoff appearance this season.

Still not convinced? Just think about this: Chiney Ogwumike crashed her interview… and didn’t even say a word. But wait—what was Chiney doing crashing interviews, anyway?

Chiney Ogwumike takes her talents from the hardwood to hollywood with The W.

Just a few years ago, Chiney Ogwumike was lighting up the court as a WNBA All-Star. Now, at 32, she’s redefining what it means to be a player-turned-media powerhouse. Already a full-time basketball analyst with ESPN, Chiney is taking her next big shot, but this time in Hollywood.

“We are making a show!” she announced with pure joy on X, setting the internet on fire. And this isn’t just any show. Titled The W, the scripted series will pull back the curtain on the untold stories of women’s professional basketball. It’s a project that’s deeply personal for Chiney, loosely inspired by her own life in the league and co-created with her longtime business partner, Allison Galer.

In a phone interview with Sportico, Chiney didn’t hold back: “We have not seen the women’s point of view.” Referencing the vibe of HBO’s Ballers, she added, “This is the first-ever [series] for women’s basketball. We are going to see what the league looks and feels like and what these women do to be successful.”

The hype doesn’t stop there. The W is being brought to life by the same minds behind GLOW and will stream on Peacock. And yes, the cast is already stacked. Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are set to make appearances, adding star power and authenticity that fans are craving.

So when Chiney showed up at the 2025 WNBA Draft, she wasn’t just breaking down picks on ESPN, she was also planting the flag for her new era in entertainment. From center court to center stage, it’s safe to say: Chiney Ogwumike is running the fast break on all fronts.