Hailey Van Lith showed flashes with Connecticut, but another waiver move proves how unforgiving WNBA roster math can be.
FORT WORTH - Hailey Van Lith’s WNBA rookie journey has already turned into a cold reminder of how ruthless this league can be.
The former college basketball star was waived by the Connecticut Sun on Thursday after appearing in nine games, including three starts.
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The move came as Connecticut activated guard Leila Lacan, leaving Van Lith looking for another opportunity barely a month into the 2026 WNBA season.
It’s a harsh turn because Van Lith wasn’t buried at the end of the bench.
She averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists for a struggling Sun team that opened 1-8, and she looked increasingly comfortable after a chaotic start to her pro career.
Chicago originally waived Van Lith on May 4, just days before the regular season began.
Connecticut claimed her shortly after, giving her an immediate second chance.
Van Lith later said the experience was emotional, but she tried to focus on the fact that another team wanted her.
That mindset showed.
She played with pace, confidence and enough scoring pop to remind people why she was such a recognizable name coming out of college.
Still, the WNBA doesn’t hand out patience easily.
With only so many roster spots available, even productive young guards can get squeezed.
Expansion has helped the league grow, but the talent pool remains deeper than the number of jobs.
Van Lith is now the latest example of a player with name recognition, draft pedigree and real ability still having to fight for footing.
Her resume is not small.
Van Lith starred at Louisville for three seasons, spent a year at LSU alongside Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow and Flau’Jae Johnson, then finished her college career at TCU.
The Chicago Sky selected her No. 11 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
That kind of profile usually buys attention. It doesn’t always buy security.
Van Lith’s next move will be worth watching.
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She’s still only 24, still competitive and still skilled enough to help the right team. But after two waiver hits in one season, her WNBA path has become brutally clear.
Nothing is promised. Every possession matters.
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