Hailey Van Lith Breaks Silence on WNBA Legend's Disrespectful Social Media Comment

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Hailey Van Lith Breaks Silence on WNBA Legend's Disrespectful Social Media Comment originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith was once a five-star recruit who, before being selected No. 11 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, had a career season at TCU.
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She led the Horned Frogs program to its first-ever Big 12 tournament title, first-ever Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and was also named an All-American.
Despite her accolades and a stat line that saw her average 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game, former five-time WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry thinks Van Lith only got into the WNBA because she has millions of followers on social media.
"If Hailey Van Lith had 10,000 followers, would she be in the league? Let me ask you that," McCoughtry asked earlier this month.
While McCoughtry walked back those comments, Van Lith had yet to speak on the matter. That changed this week, as the Sky rookie addressed the comments on "In Case You Missed It" with Khristina Williams.
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"You know, social media isn't real to me," Van Lith said. "It's virtual; it's digital; it's not physical, and so I don't respond. I don't address it. I have people bring things up to me about, you know, whatever the critics or the public may be saying in the moment. But at a very young age, I went on that I started that journey of, you know, being exposed to public opinion. And so, this is by far not the first time that this has happened, and it's just another, you know, it's just another one for me."
Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Van Lith added that she is more focused on forgiving critics like McCoughtry, who may be spiteful or jealous.
"It doesn't mean anything," Van Lith added. "And at the end of the day, if I call myself, you know, a woman of God, I have to carry myself, you know, according to those standards and, you know, forgiveness, mercy, love, grace. I know I sometimes speak on people incorrectly or out of spite or, you know, jealousy, and that's okay."
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While she may be a rookie, the way she handled the situation was a veteran move. She and the Sky are set to take on the Golden State Valkyries on Friday.
Related: Angel Reese Shares Exciting Update After Viral Joke
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.