During the 2025 WNBA Draft, which took place on April 14 in New York City, the Chicago Sky selected TCU guard Hailey Van Lith with the No. 11 overall pick, reuniting her with former LSU teammate Angel Reese.
However, commentator Jason Whitlock spotlighted rumors of friction between the two, questioning how it might influence team chemistry this season. When a reporter told Van Lith she was entering “some good energy” in Chicago, she responded with a seemingly strained smile.
Jason Whitlock Weighs In on Reported Friction Between Angel Reese and Van Lith
Following the 2025 WNBA Draft, Jason Whitlock raised serious concerns about the rumored friction between Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese, both now teammates on the Chicago Sky. Their on-court dynamic, however, may not be as smooth as their stat sheets suggest.
Whitlock didn’t hold back when analyzing the situation on his YouTube channel. He noted that “people are gossiping that Van Lith wants nothing to do with playing with Angel Reese again.” He pointed out that Van Lith transferred from LSU to TCU after just one season and had an impressive year, suggesting the split may not have been amicable.
When Van Lith was asked post-draft about reuniting with Reese, her response — “Oh, I love that energy” — accompanied by what Whitlock described as a “pretty awkward” expression, seemed less than enthusiastic.
“She had a chance to drop, ‘Angel, and I are familiar with each other from LSU. This is going to be awesome.’ Just easy, natural comments to make,” Whitlock said, pointing to her lack of genuine excitement.
Reese, for her part, tweeted, “We ain’t do it right the first time, let’s run it back,” a message Whitlock interpreted as “a little fuel on the fire.” He went further, claiming that “every one of those teammates at LSU hated playing with Angel Reese,” emphasizing that his perspective is based on what he has heard, not personal bias.
Whitlock labeled Reese a “narcissist” and accused her of being more focused on personal stats than team success.
“I think she’s already experienced what it’s like to play with Angel Reese, who is a narcissist and selfish, and my understanding is a nightmare for all teammates to deal with,” Jason said
Adding to the tension, Whitlock questioned Reese’s maturity and professionalism, mocking her complaints about low WNBA pay despite her lucrative endorsement deals. He referenced her social media post, stating,
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“They said she needs to cover up, so I went to cover on Vogue. They said she can’t afford her rent, so I went and bought a house,” as an example of what he views as her self-centered public persona.
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