Hailey Van Lith Waived By Chicago Sky On Eve Of WNBA Season
Just a year ago, the Chicago Sky looked like a franchise ready to build its future around a shiny new young core. Fast forward to today, and that blueprint has been completely shredded, tossed in the dumpster, and set on fire. In a move that caught plenty of fans off guard, the Chicago Sky have officially waived Hailey Van Lith.
If you are scratching your head, you aren’t alone. Let’s break down exactly how a first-round pick finds herself on the waiver wire just one year into her pro career, and what this means for a Chicago franchise undergoing a massive identity shift.
The Abrupt End Of the Hailey Van Lith Era In Chicago
When the Sky drafted Hailey Van Lith with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the expectations were sky-high. She came into the league with a massive college pedigree, having carved out deep NCAA Tournament runs with Louisville and LSU before finishing her collegiate career as the Big 12 Player of the Year at TCU.
So, why the sudden exit? According to reports, the Chicago front office cited a “style-of-play preference.” It is the ultimate polite sports breakup text. It is the “it’s not you, it’s me” of professional basketball. But when you look at the moves the Sky have made recently, that cliché actually starts to make a little bit of sense.
A Rollercoaster Rookie Season and a Preseason Tease
The rookie campaign for Hailey Van Lith was a bumpy ride. She struggled to find her footing in a crowded backcourt, averaging just 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in a little over 12 minutes per game. The most glaring issue? Her outside shot abandoned her. She shot an abysmal 16.1% from beyond the arc. In a modern WNBA that demands spacing and floor stretchers, a 5-foot-9 guard simply cannot shoot in the teens from deep and expect to stay on the floor.
But here is where the human element really stings. Van Lith actually had a phenomenal preseason this year. Just weeks ago, she dropped 20 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance against the Phoenix Mercury.
She was averaging 12.5 points in exhibition play, looking like a player who had finally found her pro rhythm after a long summer of rehab. Imagine putting in all that offseason work, proving it on the court, and still getting your walking papers. That is the brutal, unforgiving reality of pro sports.
Chicago’s Extreme Roster Makeover
You can’t talk about Hailey Van Lith getting cut without looking at the bigger picture in the Windy City. The Sky are tearing the house down to the studs. They already shipped out their other franchise cornerstone, trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a massive blockbuster deal.
Chicago’s front office has completely revamped the guard rotation, signing established, battle-tested veterans like Skylar Diggins and defensive stalwart Natasha Cloud. When you bring in a 10-year veteran like Cloud, who instantly upgrades your perimeter defense and passing, the available minutes for a developing second-year guard evaporate overnight.
What Is Next For Hailey Van Lith?
Do not write the basketball obituary for Hailey Van Lith just yet. She is still an incredibly talented guard with an elite work ethic and a serious resume. She is currently on the waiver wire, meaning teams have 48 hours to claim her contract. Even if she clears waivers, another WNBA franchise will likely take a flyer on a 24-year-old guard with her scoring upside.
The WNBA is a ruthless league with only 144 roster spots, and sometimes you just end up in the wrong system at the wrong time. Hailey Van Lith just needs to find the right fit and a team whose “style of play” actually matches her undeniable talent.
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