In training camp, the Chicago Sky revealed their plan to have rookie Hailey Van Lith learn behind veteran and 2024 WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot this season.
Van Lith had her struggles in the Sky’s first preseason game against WNBA competition, but went 3-of-4 shooting (including two three-point shots) for eight points in Chicago’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Lynx on May 10.
Van Lith didn’t see much action in the regular season opening loss to the Indiana Fever. She received four minutes in garbage time of a 93-58 defeat at Ganbridge Fieldhouse. During those four minutes, Van Lith went 2-for-2 shooting for four points.
Vandersloot had an abysmal performance Saturday, going 2-of-9 shooting for four points and missing all three of her three-point attempts. Some fans on social media wanted Van Lith, the No. 11 pick in the draft, inserted into the game earlier.
The Chicago Sky sent a message with Hailey Van Lith
On Tuesday, the Sky posted a message about their home opener against the New York Liberty on Thursday night. The photo was of Van Lith.
“2 days out. catch us @WintrustArena on Thursday for our home opener,” the Sky posted. (Van Lith’s jersey is No. 2.)
2️⃣ days out.
catch us @WintrustArena on Thursday for our home opener! pic.twitter.com/NIb99PfeP5
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 20, 2025
More playing time for Van Lith?
Fans on social media were hoping Van Lith’s promotion might mean the former teammate of Angel Reese at LSU might be featured more than four minutes against Liberty.
“can yall give her more than 4 minutes especially since shes a favorite for your promo and the team desperately needs help,” wrote a fan.
“HVL gonna play this time or is this clickbait?,” asked another.
While Van Lith isn’t likely to replace Vandersloot in the starting lineup on Thursday, Chicago might give her a more pronounced role in the matchup.
Van Lith was an aid to the Sky on offense during her four minutes against the Fever, but she has other parts of her game to work on before she’s featured heavily in a game. She committed one turnover and was a -5 on the court against Indiana in her first-ever regular season game.
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