Hailey Van Lith Injury Update: Chicago Sky Rookie Upgraded to Probable for Season Opener vs. Fever
Source: CBS Sports
Overview of Hailey Van Lith’s Situation
Hailey Van Lith, selected as the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, faced uncertainty regarding her participation in the Chicago Sky’s season opener against the Indiana Fever. Initially, she was listed as questionable due to a minor ankle issue. However, Chicago Sky’s coach Tyler Marsh has provided a positive update, marking her status as probable for the highly anticipated match against Caitlin Clark and the Fever this Saturday.
Injury Details
Van Lith appears to have tweaked her ankle during practice earlier this week. While it was initially concerning, reports suggest that the injury isn’t severe. This is promising as it indicates that the young rookie is likely to make her WNBA regular season debut in a key matchup.
Van Lith’s Preseason Performance
During her preseason outings, Hailey Van Lith has demonstrated her potential, averaging six points and 4.3 assists while playing as the backup point guard to veteran Courtney Vandersloot. Her standout moment came when she hit a crucial go-ahead three-pointer during a win over the Minnesota Lynx. This performance not only highlighted her skills but also provided a glimpse of her capacity to impact games in high-pressure situations.
College Career and Transition to WNBA
The journey of Hailey Van Lith from college to the WNBA has been noteworthy. Starting strong at Louisville, her career took a slight detour when she transferred to LSU for her senior season, where the Tigers advanced to the Elite Eight. Despite facing challenges finding her footing in Baton Rouge, Van Lith opted to utilize her extra year of eligibility and transferred once more, this time to TCU.
At TCU, Van Lith flourished under the guidance of coach Mark Campbell, helping the Horned Frogs make history by reaching the Elite Eight for the first time. She significantly developed as a playmaker, which enhanced her visibility as a pro prospect, considering her height of 5 feet 9 inches and previous jump shot inconsistencies.
The Importance of This Season
The Chicago Sky not only acquired a talented player in Van Lith but also reunited her with her former LSU teammate Angel Reese. Van Lith expressed her excitement about this collaboration during training camp, emphasizing her deep wish to join the Sky and the strong alignment she felt with the team’s vision for her role.
As she prepares for her debut, fans are eager to see how her performances will contribute to the Sky’s goal of making the playoffs for the first time since 2023. The stakes are high, and expectations are soaring for the rookie as she embarks on this new chapter in her basketball career.
Upcoming Matchup: Sky vs. Fever
The matchup against the Fever is not just significant for Van Lith; it marks a key moment for the entire Sky organization. Coach Tyler Marsh will be counting on Van Lith’s abilities to help establish momentum for the season. Speculations around how she might perform against established talents like Caitlin Clark add a layer of excitement to this season opener.
With her probable participation, Van Lith’s fans are hopeful that she will make a strong impression, laying the groundwork for a successful rookie season and a promising future with the Sky.
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Hailey Van Lith, Chicago Sky, WNBA, injury update, season opener, Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever, basketball news, rookie debut, preseason performance