Superstar Hailey Van Lith’s incredible dream run ended with No. 2 seed TCU’s loss to No. 1 seed Texas in the Elite Eight Monday night. Over her time at three schools, Van Lith scored 2,599 career points, making history as the first player—male or female—to lead three different teams to five Elite Eight appearances.
Although TCU fell short, Van Lith scored 17 points in the defeat. The team struggled offensively, shooting just 26.7% from the field, hindering their chance to advance further. But will Van Lith finally make the jump to the WNBA?
Will Hailey Van Lith Enter the WNBA Draft?
Hailey Van Lith’s senior season solidified her status as a WNBA prospect after transferring from LSU to TCU. She averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, leading the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Elite Eight.
Her standout performance came against No. 3 seed Notre Dame in the Sweet 16, where she recorded 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 71-62 win.
Despite uncertainty about her future, Van Lith is likely to be a first-round pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. At 5’7″, her size won’t hinder her success, as undersized guards like Kelsey Plum and Arike Ogunbowale have excelled in the league, leveraging their speed and skills.
ESPN’s recent WNBA mock draft places Van Lith at the ninth pick by the Los Angeles Sparks, where she could learn from Plum and team up with Cameron Brink. Yahoo Sports projects her tenth overall to the Chicago Sky, where she could reunite with Angel Reese.
Before TCU’s Elite Eight game against Texas, Van Lith received a reassuring text from her dad reading, “The sun is going to rise tomorrow no matter if you win or lose. So go out there and have fun.”
And despite the team’s loss, it appears that’s just what she did. Following the defeat, she reflected on her journey.
“I’m sitting up here now with women that I love and a coach that I love and a team that I love… We’re sad that we aren’t going to see each other probably next week.”
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Van Lith had previously helped Louisville reach a Final Four before transferring to LSU. After a challenging year in Baton Rouge, she transferred again and helped turn TCU’s program around. The Horned Frogs set records for victories, Big 12 wins, and home wins, finishing with a 34-4 record.
TCU coach Mark Campbell praised Van Lith’s impact, saying, “I have a hard time believing that anybody in any sport in one year can have a greater impact than what Hailey Van Lith has had at TCU.”
Van Lith, also a top NIL earner, has been open about her mental health struggles, attributing her growth to her faith and perseverance.
“I’m grateful for the fact that (God) gave me a hard journey because I would not be the woman I am sitting up here without it,” she said.
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