Hailey Van Lith has been a well-known name in women’s basketball for years. From her high school dominance to three seasons at Louisville, she proved her talent early on. She earned first-team All-ACC honors twice and played a key role in leading the Cardinals to the NCAA Final Four in 2022.
A Tough Transition at LSU
After her junior season, Van Lith made a high-profile move to LSU, joining reigning national champions alongside Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. The Tigers entered the season as the No. 1 team in the AP Poll, forming what many considered a “Big Three” in women’s college basketball.
However, things didn’t go as planned. LSU struggled on the biggest stage, with a crushing loss in the 2024 NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes—a rematch of the previous year's championship game.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
Clark delivered a dominant 41-point performance, leaving Van Lith unable to contain her. One moment that stood out was Van Lith shrugging helplessly as Clark confidently backpedaled after sinking a deep three-pointer.
This game significantly impacted Van Lith’s draft stock, leading her to reconsider her professional aspirations. Instead of entering the WNBA Draft, she decided to utilize her final year of college eligibility elsewhere.
Winning Back Respect
Her resurgence didn’t go unnoticed. On March 11, she was named The Associated Press’ National Player of the Week for Week 18 of the season. College basketball fans, who once doubted her, began issuing public apologies.
“Based on the outcome, I would say that experience was the best thing that could have happened for her,” another added.
From Setback to Success
Van Lith’s journey hasn’t just been about college basketball—she also has international experience, winning gold at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup and a bronze medal in the 3x3 event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Now, with the Big 12 title secured, her focus shifts to March Madness. She’s determined to erase the memories of last year’s tournament disappointment.
“I took my experience in the previous years and I learned from [it],” Van Lith told reporters. “I think some people go through things and they forget about it. I never forgot. I remembered what I learned in those low moments of my life.”
With March Madness approaching, Van Lith is ready to complete her redemption arc and cement her legacy in college basketball.