In a whirlwind of decisions impacting women’s college basketball, Hailey Van Lith’s entry into the transfer portal just one day after Angel Reese’s WNBA draft declaration adds another layer of intrigue to the offseason narrative. The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings broke the news, shedding light on the guard’s pivotal move following her stint at LSU.
Van Lith’s journey in collegiate basketball began as a star at Louisville, where she thrived in a shooting guard role under the tutelage of Jeff Walz. Her standout performances propelled the Cardinals to the 2022 Final Four and the Elite Eight in the subsequent season, cementing her status as one of the premier talents in the nation. A two-time First Team All-ACC selection, Van Lith’s junior campaign showcased her versatility, averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Upon joining LSU, Van Lith transitioned into a point guard role, envisioning it as a stepping stone toward her WNBA aspirations. Despite leading the Tigers with 118 assists and contributing 11.6 points per game, LSU fell short of defending their national title, bowing out in the Elite Eight against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Van Lith’s defensive performance against standout Caitlin Clark drew criticism, further fueling speculation about her future
Caitlin Clark is Dialed pic.twitter.com/cHNyuX7mnF
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) April 2, 2024
Van Lith Received Unjust Criticism All Year
The decision to enter the transfer portal amidst uncertainty surrounding Van Lith’s future is a surprise. Many believed that before the start of the year, the plan was for Van Lith to declare for the WNBA draft following the year. But Van Lith has endured a lot of criticism all year, which may have influenced her decision to play for another program next season.
LSU fans and the media expected the close to 20-point output they saw on a nightly basis from Van Lith last season in Louisville. But the reality was she was learning a new position. One that required her to be a bit more of a facilitator and a playmaker and a bit less of a scorer.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey came to Van Lith’s defense following a 75-60 LSU victory over Tennesse in which Van Lith hit two massive shots down the stretch. Van Lith finished with her season high of 26 points and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Mulkey was vocal about the criticisms she was hearing.
Hailey’s taken a lot of criticism and it needs to stop,” Mulkey said following the late season win over Tennessee. “It needs to stop. She’s learned a new position; she’s on one of the top teams in the country and the defending national champions. She’s having to play the point guard, and today she moved to the off-guard. She had zero, and you write that big; she had zero turnovers in almost 37 minutes of play. That’s the most important stat in my eyes
Kim Mulkey was asked again today about Hailey Van Lith's transition to point guard.
Van Lith had a season-high 26 points Sunday at Tennessee.
The full answer was too big to post, so here's most of it.#LSU @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/x74j3DV48J
— Jack Schemmel (@Jack_Schemmel27) February 27, 2024
Van Lith knew it was a challenging year for her. Towards the end of the season, she acknowledged it in a big way to reporters in the LSU locker room.
What I’m most proud of is, I feel like it’s been a fight for me all year, but I’ve been willing to get back in the battle every time,” Van Lith said. “In my head, I’ll have a couple of bad games and be like, I just can’t figure this out. But I won’t give up.’
Be the first to comment