Hailey Van Lith is an American professional basketball player known for her remarkable college career that spanned three universities and five NCAA Elite Eight appearances. She gained public attention as a high-scoring point guard, an Olympic bronze medalist in 3×3 basketball, and for being the first player male or female to reach the Elite Eight with three different programs.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Hailey Van Lith
Age: 24 (born September 9, 2001)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Professional Basketball Player
Known For: No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft; Olympic bronze medalist; five-time Elite Eight participant
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: None confirmed
Early Life and Background
Van Lith was born in Wenatchee, Washington, and grew up in the small town of Cashmere, Washington. Her father, Corey Van Lith, a former collegiate baseball and basketball player at the University of Puget Sound, became her primary coach and motivator, often renting out a gym for two hours each night for extra practice sessions. By age 16, she was already representing Team USA internationally.
Career and Achievements
Van Lith’s college basketball journey is unprecedented. She played three seasons at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to the Final Four as a freshman in 2022. She transferred to LSU in 2023, helping the Tigers reach the Elite Eight alongside Angel Reese. She finished her college career at TCU in 2025, where she was named Big 12 Player of the Year and led the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance.
Over her five-year college career, Van Lith scored 2,599 points and became the first player in NCAA history male or female to reach the Elite Eight five times and take three different programs to a regional final. She earned the nickname “Miss March” for her postseason dominance.
On the international stage, Van Lith won a bronze medal with the U.S. 3×3 basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also owns gold medals from the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, and the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
Major Event or Controversy
Van Lith has openly discussed her struggles with mental health, revealing at a March 2025 press conference that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her college career due to the pressure of success. She credited therapy and her faith in helping her overcome these challenges, and her vulnerability has been widely praised.
Why She Is In the News
Van Lith is in the news after the Chicago Sky waived her on May 4, 2026, just before the start of her second WNBA season. The Sky drafted her with the 11th overall pick in 2025, but she struggled as a rookie, averaging just 3.5 points on 16.1% three-point shooting in 29 appearances. Despite a strong preseason performance scoring 20 points on 8-for-8 shooting the Sky cut ties with her to sign veteran guard Natasha Cloud.
Conclusion
Hailey Van Lith is a decorated collegiate star and Olympic medalist whose journey through three Division I programs produced an unmatched postseason resume. Now waived by the Chicago Sky after just one WNBA season, the 24-year-old guard faces an uncertain professional future but remains determined to continue her basketball career.
