Hailey Van Lith has represented multiple schools during her college basketball career, including the Louisville Cardinals, LSU Tigers and TCU Horned Frogs. Her most notable time came with LSU (2023-24), where she shared the court with her current Chicago Sky teammate Angel Reese.
During her recent appearance on 2x WNBA champion Renee Montgomery’s podcast, she opened up about her relationship with Reese, who has taken the WNBA by storm ever since she was picked seventh overall in 2024. The duo reunited on the Chicago Sky squad after Van Lith was drafted earlier this year.
“Yeah, I mean, I think I know Angel’s game pretty well now,” Van Lith said (6:50). “I know whenever I give it to her, she’s a very willing passer. She’s always yelling at me to knock threes down. So whenever she has the ball and I’m in the vicinity, I’m 100% moving my feet to try and get a window to be open because I know that she’s looking for me. I think sealing shots like that, where I can just get my feet set and catch and shoot, has been huge for me to not pass up at this level.”
Van Lith, who averaged 17.9 points in her final college season with TCU, has struggled in her WNBA rookie season, scoring 4.2 points per game. However, she’s getting more and more minutes in Chicago. The Sky would like to form a “Big 3” around Reese, Van Lith, and rookie Kamilla Cardoso, which would help them win WNBA championships in the near future.
Angel Reese assumes “Big Sister” role for incoming rookie Hailey Van Lith
The Chicago Sky picked Hailey Van Lith 10th overall in the 2025 WNBA draft. Ever since the rookie guard’s arrival, Angel Reese, who is in her second year, has taken her former LSU teammate under her wings at Sky.
Earlier this season, during the Sky’s training camp, Reese opened up about her reunion with Van Lith in the WNBA.
“I’m not a vet yet. Just staying poised,” Reese said. “I mean, I know a lot of pressure is probably on her from the outside. You know, I know how it is just being the big name, coming to town, expected to do big things.”
“And I was just telling her, like, ‘Stay calm, stay poised,'” Reese added. “Me and Hailey have a great relationship. I love her. And just being able to be here for her in this moment, because last year was tough for me, because I didn’t have a lot of vets. So, just being that big sister, I guess, kind of to her this year is super important for her.”
Angel says she’s gonna be a big sister for Hailey. pic.twitter.com/LzLSqBrWX6
— kimberly. (@problemsthots) April 27, 2025
Reese was also the one who lobbied for Hailey Van Lith and asked the Sky management to draft Lith. Thus, the Sky forward considers Van Lith her own responsibility.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
