Connecticut Sun guard Hailey Van Lith (2)dribbles during a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty in New York on Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Adam Hunger/Associated Press
Connecticut Sun guard Hailey Van Lith (2) controls the ball past New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier (18) during a WNBA basketball game in New York on Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Adam Hunger/AP
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – DECEMBER 19: Hailey Van Lith #10 of the Louisville Cardinals handles the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on December 19, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
G Fiume/Getty Images
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – DECEMBER 19: Hailey Van Lith #10 of the Louisville Cardinals handles the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on December 19, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
G Fiume/Getty Images
UNCASVILLE, CT – MAY 10: Hailey van Lith #2 of the Connecticut Sun fast breaks during the WNBA game between Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun on May 10, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NEW YORK — Hailey Van Lith didn’t even have a chance to unpack.
Her clothes and belongings remained scattered in her suitcase from the minute she touched down in Connecticut throughout her first weekend with the Connecticut Sun.
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The former college star arrived in Connecticut Wednesday evening and stayed overnight at a hotel in Uncasville. On Thursday, she practiced with her new Sun teammates before joining the team on its four-hour bus ride down to New York that afternoon. Friday was spent in Brooklyn for the team’s season-opener against the Liberty at Barclays Center.
Saturday, Van Lith and the Sun were back in Uncasville and spent the day watching film, getting treatment and practicing. On Sunday, she made her Mohegan Sun Arena debut in Connecticut’s home opener against Seattle, putting up nine points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal in 20 minutes.
“I had to bring a huge suitcase here because it was the only one I had,” said Van Lith just about an hour before her Sun debut Friday in New York. “We’re only here for like 24 hours. It’s been crazy.”
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Van Lith begins her second year in the WNBA with Connecticut after she was waived during the last week of training camp by the Chicago Sky, who drafted her No. 11 overall pick in 2025.
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Just like the clothes in her suitcase, Van Lith said she’s still unpacking her emotions after being cut by the team that first gave her a chance in the league. She’s grateful for this new beginning with the Sun, and to reunite with her Olympic coach Jen Rizzotti and former LSU teammate Aneesah Morrow.
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And despite the whirlwind of it all, Van Lith showed in her first two games with the Sun last weekend the impact she’ll bring, especially to the Sun’s inexperienced point guard rotation.
“I’m doing my best to pick up on things that are immediate needs and very urgent,” she said. “The staff has been great, the players have been great. They’ve tried to take a lot of pressure off of me and make it as easy as possible. So, I’m very grateful to them.”
Prior to Sunday’s home-opener, Van Lith last played at Mohegan Sun Arena on Dec. 19, 2021, as Louisville’s star sophomore guard. She recorded 16 points, four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of Louisville’s 69-64 win over UConn women’s basketball – the Huskies’ lone loss at Mohegan Sun Arena in program history.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 08: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Connecticut Sun looks on during the third quarter of the season opener against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on May 08, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty won 106-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Ishika Samant/Getty Images
Van Lith came to Louisville in 2020, a top-10 recruit in a class that included Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. She played three years with Louisville before spending a season at LSU (2023-24) and a fifth year at TCU.
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As a graduate senior with the Horned Frogs in 2024-25, Van Lith had a career year. She earned All-American honors and was named the Big 12’s Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and its conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. Van Lith also set the NCAA record for career games started (172) and minutes played (5,692).
Through her two college transfers, Van Lith says she learned how to be adaptable and strong. Not every stop was smooth, yet each taught her something new about herself.
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – DECEMBER 19: Hailey Van Lith #10 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates during the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on December 19, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
G Fiume/Getty Images
When she was cut by Chicago on Monday, she leaned on that growth, knowing she could, and would, survive the heartbreak of getting waived by the team that first gave her a chance in the WNBA.
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“There’s not really a whole lot that you can throw at me that will break me at this point,” she said. “When you look back in my career, there’s been a lot of moments where I could have folded, and somehow I came out on the other side. So, for me, there’s nothing that could really happen that’s that bad.
“What I’ve been thinking these whole last couple days (since getting waived), like, it’s really not bad; like, you’ve done worse, you’ve had worse happen to you, and you still thrive through it and survive. It’s a huge confidence builder for me, especially in moments like this. I know I’m gonna be OK. I know I can play basketball, and life will go on.”
During her rookie season in Chicago last year, Van Lith averaged 3.5 points, 1.6 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes. During the Sky’s two preseason games this spring, she impressed by averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 assists in 20.5 minutes, including a 20-point performance against the Mercury.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 08: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Connecticut Sun looks on during the third quarter of the season opener against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on May 08, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty won 106-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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However, Chicago wanted to go in a different direction and waived her from the roster on May 4, four days before the season-opener. Hours later, the franchise signed veteran point guard Natasha Cloud in Van Lith’s place.
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“It’s been a lot,” said Van Lith, who added she had 12 hours to pack up her life in Chicago before flying to Connecticut. “… I got waived and had to wait and figure out who was gonna pick me up (and) if I was gonna get picked up.”
The Sun signed Van Lith off waivers last Wednesday, the day before the league’s final roster deadline and two days before the season-opener. While she only has a year under her belt, Van Lith brings depth to the Sun’s point guard rotation as another smart and speedy floor general. While Connecticut remains waiting for French point guard Leila Lacan to join the roster later this month, Van Lith, rookie Charlisse Leger-Walker and veteran Shey Peddy (currently out due to a left leg injury) will rotate through the position.
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – DECEMBER 19: Evina Westbrook #22 of the Connecticut Huskies handles the ball against Hailey Van Lith #10 of the Louisville Cardinals in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena on December 19, 2021 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
G Fiume/Getty Images
“There’s just a different type of presence you have to have in the WNBA versus college to play point guard and to command the floor,” said Van Lith. “And I started figuring it out. I thought I did a great job with it in training camp (in Chicago), and so I’m really looking forward to just translating it to the Sun and keep building on that progress that I made.”
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Van Lith subbed in for Leger-Walker during Friday and Sunday’s games. Against the Liberty, despite only having one practice with the Sun beforehand, she jumped into the lineup and didn’t hesitate to blend in, finishing with nine points, four assists, one steal and one rebound in 14 minutes off the bench.
“She came with a lot of energy, and that’s something we need, but we also need some playmaking and I know that she can bring that to the table,” said Sun head coach Rachid Meziane before Friday’s game.
In Uncasville, Van Lith reunites with her former LSU teammate Aneesah Morrow as the two overlapped for one year in Baton Rouge. She also reunites with Sun president Jen Rizzotti, who was Van Lith’s Team USA 3×3 basketball coach during the 2024 Paris Olympics (the United States won bronze).
“I love them both. Both great people,” said Van Lith on Morrow and Rizzotti. “I’m hoping to get to see Jen around more often. I heard she’s in a real business position, but we’ll see about that. I might get her on the court just a little bit.
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“I’m super excited to have Jen around. She’s been great for me, and obviously me and Aneesah played in college together, and she’s just a great energy person, like, picks you up, is a beast on the court.”
Connecticut Sun guard Hailey Van Lith (2)dribbles during a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty in New York on Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Adam Hunger/Associated Press
Van Lith knows that with more time and reps, she’ll find her footing with the Sun. She’s one of 10 players on its 2026 roster with three years or less of experience. So far, the team has been welcoming and encouraging to the new guard.
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“One thing about the Sun that I was really looking forward to was the youthfulness and having that type of energy and swag and bounce,” she said. “It’s been so fun. Like, our bus ride (to New York) was hilarious. The team is such a vibe. I’m looking forward to that and getting to know everyone better every day. BG (Brittney Griner) has been great. She’s a great vet for me to have. And so, I think it could be a great opportunity.”