Hailey Van Lith opens up about struggles at LSU
Hailey Van Lith was back in the PMAC on Friday as the Chicago Sky were in town to meet the Brazilian National Team. Van Lith met with the media and opened up about her time with the Tigers.
"I had to be purposeful and intentional about how I made sure I could fit into the puzzle and help us win some games," Van Lith said. "When you're asked to be someone you aren't necessarily, I think that's a different type of resilience that you learn only be going throughout."
Following three years as a starter for Louisville, Van Lith transferred to LSU to lend her scoring skills to the reigning national champions. However, she couldn't find the same rhythm alongside All-Americans Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow and Flau'Jae Johnson. Her points per game dropped from 19.7 to 11.6, leading her to search for her third school.
Van Lith took her talents to TCU and finished the season as the leading scorer with 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per contest as well as the Big 12 Player of the Year. She led the Horned Frogs on their first March Madness run, making it to the Elite Eight.
Following her final collegiate postseason, Van Lith turned her attention to the professional level and was drafted No. 11 by the Sky. With a short turnaround for her rookie year, Van Lith will rely on her strong mindset to take advantage of her opportunity.
"You never really get out of rhythm and you're never in the offseason so you're kind of in that flow that you were in in the NCAA tournament," Van Lith said. "I'm a tough girl so I'll play through fatigue until I feel fresh again."
Shortly after Van Lith transferred last year, Mulkey offered her thoughts.
"Her aspirations were to get drafted this year, and she realized, 'I need another year, and I need to go back to a place where I can relax and get back to my normal position.' And what do you do? You hug her and you wish her well," Mulkey told NOLA.com.
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