The Chicago Sky have announced the release of Hailey Van Lith, who was selected as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. In her rookie season, Van Lith played 29 games, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists but did not secure a spot in the team’s regular rotation. Following her debut season, she played as a developmental player in the 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, where she showed improvement. During the Sky’s preseason, she averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists, highlighted by a perfect shooting performance in her first game, where she scored 20 points. Despite these efforts, the team has opted to waive her ahead of the regular season.
Why It Matters
Hailey Van Lith’s release from the Chicago Sky is significant as it reflects the team’s strategic decisions regarding player development and roster composition. The Sky currently have experienced guards, including seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins, and are managing injuries to other key players like Courtney Vandersloot and DiJonai Carrington. With the addition of new talent such as Jacy Sheldon and Gabriela Jaquez, the team has made decisions that prioritize immediate performance and depth over potential long-term development. Van Lith’s preseason performance indicated promise, but ultimately, the team’s roster dynamics and injury situations led to her departure.
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