Chicago Sky waive Hailey Van Lith just one year after selecting her with 11th overall pick
Life comes at you fast in the WNBA, but it comes even faster when you’re Hailey Van Lith.
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The women’s college basketball star and 2025 high draft pick is now looking for a job after the Chicago Sky waived Van Lith; This came as a surprise to many.
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith ranks 2nd among Chicago Sky high fives during the game against the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, IL. (Photo: Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo: Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))
The decision comes just a year after Sky drafted Van Lith with the 11th pick and opted to fill the void by signing veteran Natasha Cloud; It’s a move that suggests Chicago may have already given up on Van Lith’s development.
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It wasn’t long ago that Van Lith became one of the most recognizable names in college basketball and one of the first NIL stars during his time at Louisville.
Van Lith averaged less than four points per game in his rookie season in 2025. At some point, people became more interested in his off-the-field relationship with Jalen Suggs than his on-field potential. It will be a tough week for both Suggs and Magic as they see their season end in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Sunday.
By bringing Cloud in on a $555,000 deal, Chicago is betting that a proven floor general is worth more than the upside of a high-profile draft pick.
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Hailey Van Lith poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky during the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 14, 2025 in New York City. (Elsa/Getty Images)
The move also underscores a broader philosophical shift in Chicago.
The team has spent the last few weeks chipping away at the core of a roster that struggled to find its identity last season, most notably trading Angel Reese to Atlanta.
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By cutting Van Lith, Sky have effectively erased their latest high-risk gamble.
At 24, Van Lith is young enough to bounce back, which is oddly reminiscent of his stint at LSU; He is determined to become more of a star but once again starts from scratch and is greatly regressed. He enters the free agent market as a cautionary tale of how quickly a “can’t miss” prospect can find his feet from the outside.
Chicago Sky’s Hailey Van Lith watches the second half of the game against the Atlanta Dream at Wintrust Arena on April 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)
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