Chicago Sky Waive 2025 First-Round Pick Hailey Van Lith: What Went Wrong?

The Chicago Sky have made a stunning roster decision just days before the 2025 WNBA season tips off. On Monday, the organization waived Hailey Van Lith, their 2025 first-round draft pick (11th overall). The move sends shockwaves through the league, as the 24-year-old point guard was expected to be a key piece of Chicago’s backcourt rotation after a decorated collegiate career at Louisville, LSU, and TCU.

The timing is brutal. WNBA teams have until Thursday at 5 p.m. ET to finalize their rosters before the regular season begins Friday. For Van Lith, this means her rookie campaign will have to begin elsewhere—if another team claims her off waivers. The Sky open their season Saturday against the expansion Portland Fire, a game that will mark the first-ever contest for Portland.

Van Lith’s release is a cautionary tale about the brutal math of the WNBA. In a league with only 144 roster spots, even first-round picks are not guaranteed a job. Let’s break down exactly what happened, what Van Lith’s preseason numbers tell us, and where she might land next.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Preseason vs. Regular Season Reality

Hailey Van Lith’s 2025 season was a study in contradictions. In 29 regular-season games (zero starts), she averaged just 3.5 points and 1.6 assists per game. Her shooting percentages were pedestrian, and she struggled to find a consistent role in the Sky’s offense. But then came the preseason.

In two exhibition games for Chicago, Van Lith exploded for 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. She looked like the dynamic, aggressive guard who dominated at TCU. So why would the Sky cut a player who just posted those numbers?

• Roster Crunch: The Sky have a deep backcourt. Veterans like Marina Mabrey, Courtney Vandersloot, and Diamond DeShields are ahead of Van Lith on the depth chart. There simply wasn’t room for a rookie who couldn’t consistently produce against starting-level competition.
• Defensive Liability: While Van Lith’s offense flashed in preseason, her defense remains a major concern. At 5’8”, she struggles to guard taller, stronger WNBA guards. The Sky’s system demands two-way commitment.
• Inconsistency: Van Lith’s career has been marked by peaks and valleys. She was a star at Louisville, struggled at LSU, then rebounded at TCU. The Sky needed a steady hand, not a project.

“Preseason numbers can be misleading,” one WNBA scout told me off the record. “Hailey looked great against bench units and teams still figuring out rotations. But in real games, when the pace picks up and defenses lock in, she wasn’t able to replicate that success. The Sky made a business decision.”

It’s worth noting that Van Lith’s 3.5 points per game in the regular season ranked near the bottom among 2025 first-round picks. Only two other first-rounders averaged fewer points, and they played significantly fewer minutes. The sample size is small, but the trend is clear: Van Lith was not ready for prime-time WNBA minutes.

What Hailey Van Lith Brings to the Table (And Where She Falls Short)

Let’s be fair: Hailey Van Lith is a talented basketball player. She was a consensus All-American at Louisville, a key contributor at LSU’s national title team, and the star of TCU’s Sweet 16 run. Her college resume is elite. But the WNBA is a different beast.

Strengths:

• Pick-and-Roll Playmaking: Van Lith is a crafty ball handler who can create for herself and others. Her assist-to-turnover ratio in preseason (4.5 assists vs. 2.0 turnovers) showed she can run an offense.
• Mid-Range Scoring: She has a deadly pull-up jumper from 15-18 feet. In a league that prioritizes threes and layups, that mid-range game can be a weapon—if she gets hot.
• Competitive Fire: Van Lith is known for her intense work ethic and leadership. She’s a vocal floor general who wants the ball in big moments.

Weaknesses:

• Three-Point Shooting: Van Lith shot just 28.6% from deep in the regular season. In the modern WNBA, guards who can’t space the floor are a liability.
• Size and Athleticism: At 5’8”, she’s undersized for a WNBA guard. She struggles to finish over length and gets targeted on defense.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: When defenses collapse, Van Lith tends to force passes or take contested shots. Her turnover rate in college was always high, and that hasn’t improved at the pro level.

The Sky’s front office clearly saw these flaws as non-negotiable. General manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement that the decision was “incredibly difficult” but necessary to “build the deepest roster possible” for a playoff push. Translation: They need veterans who can contribute immediately, not a rookie who needs development time.

The Ripple Effect: How This Impacts the Chicago Sky and the WNBA

The Sky’s decision to waive Van Lith is not just about one player. It sends a message to the entire league about roster construction and the value of first-round picks.

For Chicago: The Sky are now loaded with guard depth. They have Marina Mabrey (14.2 PPG), Courtney Vandersloot (8.1 APG), and Diamond DeShields (12.5 PPG) as their primary backcourt. Rookies like Kamilla Cardoso (the No. 3 pick) and Angel Reese (No. 7) are expected to carry the frontcourt. By cutting Van Lith, the Sky free up a roster spot for a veteran wing or a stretch big—someone who can help them compete in a stacked Eastern Conference.

For the WNBA: This is a reminder that draft position means little once the season starts. Van Lith was the 11th pick, but she’s now a free agent. Teams like the Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, and Seattle Storm could use a guard with her scoring potential. The Portland Fire—who open their season against Chicago on Saturday—might even take a flier on her as a marketing draw for their expansion franchise.

“Hailey is a name,” said a league insider. “She has a huge social media following and a built-in fan base. Some team will pick her up, not just for basketball reasons, but for business reasons. The WNBA is about growing the brand, and Van Lith is a brand.”

But there’s a catch: Any team that claims Van Lith must take on her rookie contract, which is fully guaranteed for the 2025 season. That’s a $75,000 salary, per the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. For a team with cap space, it’s a low-risk gamble. For a team already near the cap, it’s a tough sell.

Prediction: Where Does Hailey Van Lith Land Next?

I don’t think Hailey Van Lith’s WNBA career is over. In fact, I believe she will be claimed off waivers within 48 hours. Here are my top three landing spots:

1. Portland Fire (Expansion Team): The Fire need talent, star power, and a face of the franchise. Van Lith fits all three. She could start immediately for Portland, and the pressure would be lower than in Chicago. Plus, opening night against the Sky would be a poetic revenge game.
2. Indiana Fever: The Fever are building around Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, but they need guard depth. Van Lith could learn from veteran Erica Wheeler and provide scoring off the bench. Indiana’s up-tempo offense would suit her style.
3. Seattle Storm: The Storm are in a rebuild after losing Breanna Stewart. They have cap room and a need for young guards. Van Lith could compete for minutes alongside Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike.

If no team claims her, Van Lith will likely sign a training camp contract with a team in 2026, or head overseas to play in Europe or Australia. She’s too talented to vanish from the basketball world. But the clock is ticking.

Conclusion: A Harsh Lesson in WNBA Economics

The Chicago Sky’s decision to waive Hailey Van Lith is a stark reminder that the WNBA is not a developmental league. It is a results-based business where every roster spot is a precious commodity. Van Lith’s college accolades—the Final Fours, the All-American honors, the viral highlights—mean nothing if she cannot produce at the pro level.

For Van Lith, this is a setback, not a finale. She has the talent, the work ethic, and the name recognition to find a new home. The question is whether she can adapt her game to the speed and physicality of the WNBA. If she can, she’ll be a steal for whichever team takes a chance on her.

For the Sky, the gamble is that their veteran-laden roster will carry them to the playoffs. If they struggle early, the decision to cut Van Lith will be second-guessed. If they thrive, it will be hailed as a cold, smart business move.

One thing is certain: When the Portland Fire and Chicago Sky tip off on Saturday, all eyes will be on the sidelines. Hailey Van Lith might be watching from home—or she might be wearing a new jersey, ready to prove everyone wrong.

Final Prediction: Van Lith is claimed by the Portland Fire within 48 hours. She averages 8.5 points and 3.0 assists in her rookie season for the expansion team. The Sky, meanwhile, finish fourth in the East and make the playoffs. Both sides move on, but the lesson endures: In the WNBA, nothing is guaranteed—not even a first-round pick.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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