Hailey Van Lith: Waived by Chicago Sky, WNBA Future, Stats, and Boyfriend News

Hailey Van Lith has once again become one of the most talked-about names in women’s basketball. The former college star, known for her competitive edge and standout performances at University of Louisville, Louisiana State University, and Texas Christian University, is now making headlines after being waived by the Chicago Sky just before the start of the 2026 WNBA season.

For fans of the WNBA, the move was surprising. Van Lith entered the league with high expectations after a decorated college career and was viewed as a young guard with upside. Yet roster decisions in professional basketball can be unforgiving, and Chicago’s latest move has sparked major conversation around her future.

This article breaks down everything you need to know about Hailey Van Lith’s release, her time with the Chicago Sky, her WNBA stats, and the latest on questions surrounding her boyfriend and personal life.

Why did Chicago Sky waive Hailey Van Lith?

The biggest headline is simple: the Chicago Sky waived Hailey Van Lith ahead of the 2026 regular season. Reports indicate the decision came as the Sky reshaped their roster and added veteran guard Natasha Cloud. According to multiple reports, Chicago’s coaching staff felt the roster was moving toward a different style of play.

That explanation may sound harsh, but it reflects the reality of professional basketball. Teams often make roster decisions based on fit rather than pure talent.

Van Lith’s release surprised many observers because she had shown flashes of promise during preseason action. In fact, she averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists in two preseason games, including an eye-catching perfect shooting outing that reminded fans why she was such a highly regarded prospect coming out of college.

For the Sky, however, the addition of experienced guards created a crowded backcourt. That made it difficult for Van Lith to secure a long-term spot, despite her developmental upside.

Hailey Van Lith’s journey to the WNBA

Before joining the WNBA, Hailey Van Lith built one of the most notable college résumés in recent women’s basketball.

She first became nationally known at University of Louisville, where her fearless scoring ability and emotional leadership made her one of the faces of the program.

Later, she spent time at Louisiana State University before finishing her collegiate career at Texas Christian University.

At TCU, Van Lith enjoyed perhaps the strongest stretch of her college career. She earned All-American recognition and helped elevate the Horned Frogs into national relevance. That final season restored much of her draft momentum and ultimately helped make her a first-round selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

The Chicago Sky selected her with the 11th overall pick, signaling clear belief in her ability to become a contributor at the professional level.

Hailey Van Lith WNBA stats

During her rookie WNBA season with the Chicago Sky, Van Lith played 29 games.

Her 2025 regular-season averages were:

• 3.5 points per game
• 1.1 rebounds per game
• 1.6 assists per game
• 12.4 minutes per game
• 33.9% field-goal shooting
• 16.1% from three-point range

At first glance, those numbers may not jump off the page. But context matters.

Van Lith spent much of her rookie season adjusting to the pace, physicality, and spacing of the WNBA. She was rarely given extended minutes, often appearing in limited bench roles.

That made it harder to find rhythm or establish consistent production.

Young guards frequently need time to adjust to professional basketball, especially those transitioning from being a primary college star to a complementary role in the pros.

Even so, flashes were there.

She had moments of aggressiveness off the dribble, showed the ability to create shots, and displayed the competitive mentality that made her such a respected college player.

What went wrong in Chicago?

The biggest challenge for Van Lith in Chicago appeared to be role clarity.

In college, she was often a high-usage scorer with the ball in her hands. In the WNBA, she needed to prove she could fit as a secondary guard, defend consistently, and make quick decisions against elite athletes.

That transition is difficult.

For the Chicago Sky, roster construction also played a major role. The franchise clearly wanted more veteran stability and defensive versatility in the backcourt. The arrival of experienced players reduced available developmental minutes for younger guards like Van Lith.

In many ways, her release may say more about roster math than her long-term potential.

Is Hailey Van Lith done in the WNBA?

Not at all.

At just 24 years old, Hailey Van Lith remains young enough to draw interest from other teams.

Her college pedigree still carries weight. So does her ability to score, create offense, and compete with confidence.

In fact, players with her profile often get second chances.

Teams looking for backcourt depth, offensive spark, or developmental upside could easily take a look.

The fact that Van Lith showed improvement in preseason should only help her case. Several analysts have already suggested she could land elsewhere quickly after being waived.

Her next opportunity may depend on finding a team that can offer a clearer developmental pathway.

Hailey Van Lith and her popularity beyond basketball

One reason Van Lith continues to attract attention is her visibility beyond the court.

She has built a strong social media following, and her name often trends whenever major WNBA roster moves happen.

Fans are drawn not only to her game but also to her fiery on-court personality, confidence, and high-profile college career.

That popularity is one reason why news of her release spread so quickly across basketball circles.

For younger fans especially, Van Lith represents a modern athlete whose appeal extends beyond box scores.

Who is Hailey Van Lith’s boyfriend?

A common search query around Hailey Van Lith is about her relationship status and boyfriend.

At the moment, there has been significant public curiosity, but Van Lith has generally kept much of her personal life relatively private.

She has previously been linked in media discussions to Jalen Suggs, currently of the Orlando Magic. However, neither has consistently made their relationship a major public storyline in recent months.

Because of that, there is no widely confirmed new public update on her current boyfriend status as of now.

For fans, the bigger story remains her basketball future.

Why Hailey Van Lith still matters in the WNBA

Being waived can sometimes unfairly shape narratives.

But in reality, many successful WNBA careers have included early setbacks.

Van Lith still matters because she offers several traits teams value:

• shot creation
• competitive intensity
• scoring instincts
• playoff-tested college experience
• name recognition and marketability

That combination makes her more than just another waived player.

She remains one of the more intriguing young guards to watch on the market.

What’s next for Hailey Van Lith?

The next few weeks could be crucial.

A training camp invite, hardship contract, or roster opening elsewhere could quickly bring Hailey Van Lith back into the league.

Another possibility is that she continues developing through offseason basketball opportunities and returns stronger.

What matters most is fit.

A team willing to give her consistent reps and a defined role could unlock the kind of player many fans expected to see when she entered the WNBA.

Final thoughts

Hailey Van Lith being waived by the Chicago Sky is undoubtedly one of the more surprising WNBA stories of the moment.

Yet it should not be viewed as the end of her professional journey.

Her rookie stats were modest, but context matters. She showed flashes of promise, had a strong preseason, and still possesses the tools that made her a first-round draft pick.

For now, fans will keep watching.

Because in women’s basketball, stories like Hailey Van Lith’s rarely end with one roster move.

FAQs

Was Hailey Van Lith waived by the Chicago Sky?

Yes. The Chicago Sky waived Hailey Van Lith just before the 2026 WNBA regular season began.

Why did Chicago Sky waive Hailey Van Lith?

Reports indicated the move was tied to roster construction and a preferred style of play after Chicago added veteran guard Natasha Cloud.

What are Hailey Van Lith’s WNBA stats?

In her rookie season, she averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 29 games.

Who drafted Hailey Van Lith?

The Chicago Sky selected her 11th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Who is Hailey Van Lith’s boyfriend?

She has been publicly linked in the past to Jalen Suggs, but there is no major confirmed recent public update about her current relationship status.

Will Hailey Van Lith play in the WNBA again?

Very possibly. Given her age, pedigree, and recent preseason performances, many expect another opportunity could come.