Last year, things were hard for Hailey Van Lith, to say the least. When she had transferred from Louisville to LSU, she was hoping to tap into the same production levels. And while she had her moments there, they were not enough. The roster was already loaded, making the ball always roll away from her. What followed were grim scouting reports, doubtful GMs, and analysts who didn’t hold back. Yet, when she announced her decision to transfer to TCU, many raised eyebrows, saying that it must have been a big paycheck. Does it not sound like no matter what she did, things were just not turning around?

But fast forward just a season later, and Van Lith flipped the whole narrative on its head. After transferring to TCU, she found her rhythm—no, she created it. She led the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance in NCAA tournament history. On top of that, she was named both Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. The comeback tour was real. So when the Chicago Sky called her name at No. 11 in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the moment felt like redemption.

The thing is, though, with all the buzz and her impressive resume, not everyone’s completely sold yet. Including one of the louder, more respected voices in the game, Rachel Annamarie DeMita. “If Hailey Van Lith is going to learn from a veteran point guard, I feel like Courtney Vandersloot is someone,” DeMita said on her latest YouTube episode. “So hopefully she takes her under her wing and is able to help her develop her game.”

She followed that up with a note that cut straight to the point: “I do think that there are some things in her game that do need to improve at this next level.” 

Let’s rewind to TCU’s NCAA tournament game against Texas. Van Lith played all 40 minutes, but still struggled to create separation, to get clean looks, to find her spots. She shot just 3-for-15 from the field, including 1-for-3 from deep. Sure, she ended with 17 points, but it wasn’t efficient, and it showed how tough things could get when defenses locked in on her.

Across the season, she still put up a solid 17.9 points per game, but her assist-to-turnover ratio raised eyebrows. She averaged nearly three turnovers a game—an issue that might’ve slid in college, but in the W, where defenders are stronger, quicker, and longer, that margin for error shrinks fast.

“In the WNBA, all these women who are going to be guarding her are stronger, faster, and longer than they were in college,” DeMita added. And that’s the truth. The pros are a whole different beast. So, while DeMita isn’t wrong, we cannot disagree that it’s a lot of pressure for the 23-year-old.

That’s where Courtney Vandersloot comes in. A veteran leadership, on-court IQ, and a track record of making players around her better. Returning to the Sky, Vandersloot brings not just experience, but warm wisdom. She ranks second in WNBA regular-season total assists, behind Sue Bird, and first in total playoff assists. With SKy, she averaged 10.2 points and 6.6 assists per game, proving herself as a masterclass in consistency.

More than just stats, she’s a floor general who sees the game two steps ahead. Just last season with the New York Liberty, she helped orchestrate a championship run, proving she can not only play within a system but elevate it. That’s the kind of example Van Lith needs to be around—someone who’s been through the grind, adapted to every change, and kept showing up. And hey, it’s not just Vandersloot who can help!

The pressure is real for Hailey Van Lith, but so is the opportunity

Heading to the Chicago Sky gives Hailey Van Lith a chance to prove herself in the W, and to reunite with a familiar face: Angel Reese. Both former LSU Tigers, the duo now have a chance to run it back in the pros. But this time, things are different.

Reese isn’t just a rookie anymore. In 34 games last season, she averaged 13.1 rebounds and 13.6 points per game. And not just that, she’s transformed herself quickly into a force from being the No. 7 pick in last year’s draft to becoming the league’s rebounding leader.

And Van Lith knows exactly what kind of firepower she’s walking into. “We have a lot of similarities with how we carry ourselves and our mindset,” HVL said of Reese. “She’s a dog, man… She turns up her intensity with everyone around her, so I’m excited to be in that environment with her again — where she can pull more out of me than I think I have.”

Coming off her final college season, Van Lith brings in averages of 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. But as promising as her numbers look, she’s stepping into a situation that demands even more. In case you’re unaware, the Sky made a big-time gamble to land the No. 11 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft. (the pick that brought HVL to Chicago). Chicago acquired that 11th overall pick from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for keeping their 2026 first-round pick. This also means the Lynx no longer have to swap their own first-rounder with Chicago, a condition that was part of last year’s deal when the Sky traded up to snag Reese at No. 7.

So, the focus on HVL is major, and her fit with the team is something everyone will be tracking. And let’s be real, if she makes it to the roster, she’ll have to fight for her minutes.