The Connecticut Sun claimed guard Hailey Van Lith off waivers on Wednesday after the Chicago Sky released the 2025 first-round pick days before the season.
The Connecticut Sun claimed guard Hailey Van Lith off waivers on Wednesday, a day after the Chicago Sky released the 2025 first-round pick. Van Lith was selected No. 11 overall in last year's WNBA Draft and was waived by Chicago earlier this week before clearing the wire. Connecticut put in the claim and added her to its training camp roster.
Van Lith, 24, joins a Connecticut group that already includes multiple rookies and second-year players competing for backcourt minutes. She also reunites with Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti, who coached her on the USA Basketball 3x3 program. Van Lith was on the United States team that won bronze in 3x3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chicago had previously protected her during the WNBA expansion draft process.
The Sky waived Van Lith days after signing veteran guard Natasha Cloud, and Sky head coach Tyler Marsh addressed the decision with reporters.
"I think the unfortunate part, probably the worst part of this job and kind of the business that we're in, is you have to have tough conversations and make tough decisions," Marsh said. "For us, unfortunately, sometimes it comes down to a numbers game and it's not necessarily anything that Hailey did or didn't do."
"She's another one that works incredibly hard and is incredibly tough as well," Marsh said. "She battled through some injuries throughout this last year and some change, but she competes, she's coachable, she's great in the locker room."
Marsh said there is "a bright future for her in this league, whether it's in Chicago or elsewhere."
Van Lith appeared in 29 games as a rookie last season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 assists. Ankle injuries limited her availability during the year. She rehabbed in the offseason and arrived to camp healthy. Van Lith averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists in preseason play with Chicago and shot 71.4% from the field.
In college, Van Lith played at three programs. She started at Louisville and reached a Final Four before transferring to LSU for one season. She played her final college year at TCU, where she was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Van Lith led the Horned Frogs to their first Elite Eight in program history.
Connecticut still has to trim its roster to the regular-season limit. The Sun open the regular season in the coming days.
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