Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is questionable for the Chicago Sky’s season opener against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday afternoon due to an ankle injury, the team announced on Friday.
Van Lith seems to have slightly injured her ankle during practice this week, however, the exact timing of the injury is unclear. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be severe. Even if she ends up missing Saturday’s game, her “questionable” status indicates she could return soon.
During a solid preseason, she averaged six points and 4.3 assists as a backup point guard behind Courtney Vandersloot. Although preseason results aren’t critical, her last-second three-pointer that secured a win over the Minnesota Lynx is a promising sign for the rookie.
After a successful start to her college career at Louisville, Van Lith transferred to LSU for her final season. While the Tigers made it to the Elite Eight, she struggled to adjust, casting doubt on her draft stock. Rather than going pro last year, she opted to utilize an additional year of eligibility and transferred again, this time to TCU.
That ultimately proved to be a wise decision. Under Mark Campbell’s system, Van Lith thrived, leading the Horned Frogs to their first Elite Eight appearance in program history. Notably, her development as a playmaker increased her professional potential despite her smaller stature (5-foot-9) and varying shooting consistency.
Van Lith eventually became a first-round draft pick and reunited with Angel Reese from her time at LSU.
“I had a few great conversations [with the Sky’s front office]. Deep in my heart, I wanted to come to the Sky,” Van Lith expressed during training camp. “I felt a ton of alignment and I felt like they saw who I was as a player. And I felt valued, so I was hoping that I was available when Chicago’s picks came.”
“You never want to put too much expectation or hope because you never know what will happen on draft day, but deep in my heart, I was really hoping for that.”
Now, her aspiration has come to fruition, and she aims to help the Sky return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
