Van Lith Finds a Hype Woman and a Home in Chicago Thanks to Reese’s Endorsement

CHICAGO — Hailey Van Lith has found more than just a new team in the Chicago Sky; she’s found a champion and advocate in Angel Reese. Their shared season at LSU forged a bond strong enough to transcend geographical distance and career trajectories, potentially playing a significant role in Van Lith’s arrival in the Windy City.

Van Lith, speaking at the Sky’s media day, readily acknowledged Reese’s unwavering support. "Angel has always been a huge encourager for me," she stated. "Whenever I show any signs of self-doubt or questioning, she’s always the first person to basically tell me to snap out of it. And if I’m performing below my capabilities, she’ll hold me accountable and remind me who I am and who I’m supposed to be."

Their connection runs deeper than just on-court camaraderie. While their time together at LSU was brief, it was formative. Van Lith had established herself as a dominant scoring force during her three years at Louisville, averaging over 15 points per game and leading the Cardinals to a Final Four appearance in her sophomore year. However, her transfer to LSU presented a unique set of challenges.

Under coach Kim Mulkey, Van Lith was transitioned from her familiar shooting guard role to the point guard position. This shift demanded a different skillset and a greater emphasis on facilitating the offense rather than solely focusing on scoring. Consequently, her scoring output, shooting percentage, and rebounding numbers experienced a decline. The adjustment period was met with criticism from some fans who failed to fully appreciate the complexities of her new role and the shift in her responsibilities.

Despite the external pressures and internal adjustments, Van Lith’s commitment to the team and her willingness to embrace a new role resonated deeply with Reese. Similarly, Van Lith was impressed by Reese’s unwavering confidence and inner strength.

"We share a lot of values, and we align on a lot of things that happen off the court and what we think the standard of your character should be," Van Lith explained. "I just think that she goes about things the right way. And I don’t think that that is always the side of her that is publicized."

While Reese transitioned to the WNBA, where she quickly established herself as a dominant force, leading the league in rebounding and finishing as the runner-up for Rookie of the Year behind Caitlin Clark, Van Lith opted to spend her final year of college eligibility at TCU. Despite the separation, their friendship remained a constant. Reese made it a point to celebrate Van Lith’s successes with the Horned Frogs, ensuring that her accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed.

When Van Lith was named MVP of the Big 12 tournament, Reese proudly reposted a photo of her friend holding the trophy, adding the caption, "So proud of you sis!" Following Van Lith’s standout performance against Notre Dame in the Sweet 16, Reese took to social media to highlight her accomplishments, posting "HVL" followed by her impressive stat line.

"We created a friendship. Obviously you don’t always get that when players transfer, (but) me and Hailey just continued to have that friendship," Reese said. "I used to text her after games and she would text me and just encourage me and I would encourage her."

But Reese’s support extended beyond mere encouragement. As the WNBA Draft approached, she actively championed Van Lith to Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca, advocating for her teammate’s potential and emphasizing her unique skillset.

"I was like, `If you want a dog, go get Hailey.’ And I kept telling him that," Reese said. "You can see her grit, you can see how hard she works."

Reese’s persistence paid off when the Sky selected Van Lith with the 11th pick in the draft. Overjoyed by the news, Reese immediately posted "yes yes yes" on social media.

The path to securing a roster spot in the WNBA is notoriously challenging for rookies. The league is filled with seasoned veterans and fierce competition, making it difficult for newcomers to break through. Shyanne Sellers, drafted just six spots after Van Lith, and Bree Hall, selected at the 20th pick, were among the players who were ultimately cut from their respective teams.

However, the Sky firmly believe that Van Lith possesses the talent and potential to become their point guard of the future. Her ability to adapt, her unwavering work ethic, and her fearless attitude are qualities that convinced the Sky she was worth investing in.

Van Lith showcased her abilities during the preseason, playing in all three exhibition games. She averaged six points and 4.3 assists while committing only two turnovers. In the final exhibition game, she demonstrated her defensive prowess by stripping Napheesa Collier and scoring on a contested layup.

"Her biggest skill will be her ability to adjust. She had to assimilate (to new teams in college) and had success everywhere," Pagliocca said. "She’s proven she can struggle and still come back and be productive. She’s about the right things. Her fearlessness will carry her until she can adjust to our league."

Van Lith will have plenty of support as she navigates the challenges of the WNBA. In addition to Reese, she will have the opportunity to learn from Courtney Vandersloot, a two-time WNBA champion and one of the greatest point guards in league history. Vandersloot returned to the Sky during the offseason after spending the past two years with the New York Liberty.

"If I could pick any vet in the league to play with my first year, it would be Sloot," Van Lith said. "Just getting to watch and observe her. The way that she manipulates defenses and her patience and her pace are all things that are going to be very huge to my growth as a point guard in this league."

Reese, who fell to the seventh pick in last year’s draft due to uncertainties about how her game would translate to the professional level, views her landing spot in Chicago as a blessing. Rather than harboring resentment for being overlooked, she has consistently expressed her gratitude for being in a city that she believes is the perfect fit for her.

The same sentiment applies to Van Lith, who is eager to begin her WNBA journey with the Sky.

"I’m just super excited for her to be in the right place," Reese said. "I tell players all the time, it’s about fit. Her being under Sloot, that’s the best thing possible for her. I’m just really excited to play with her."