In a move that is both surprising and equally hard to understand for many, the Connecticut Sun have waived sharpshooting guard Hailey Van Lith just nine games into the 2026 season.
The Sun’s decision has gone down poorly with WNBA viewers, who took to social media to express their disappointment.
Sun’s Decision to Waive Hailey Van Lith Sparks Outcry
Van Lith, a former Big 12 Player of the Year, was drafted 11th overall out of TCU in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky.
However, it proved to be a difficult rookie year for the young guard, averaging just 3.5 points per game on 16.1% shooting from 3-point range in an injury-troubled season. She was then waived and quickly picked up by the Sun, joining a young group that gave her an opportunity to flourish.
Van Lith’s shooting percentages increased exponentially in nine games for Connecticut. She shot 49.2% from the field and 47.1% from beyond the arc in 17.6 minutes per game. Despite the improvement, she was swiftly released to activate French guard Leïla Lacan. The Sun have invested more in Lacan, as they selected the promising 21-year-old guard with the 10th pick in the 2024 draft.
Still, the move was difficult to stomach for WNBA observers who were impressed by Van Lith’s emergence this year, as evidenced by the outcry on X.
Author Kat Floridia wrote, “This is a joke, right?!?!? Wow!”
This is a joke, right?!?!? Wow!
— Kat Floridia (@KatFlor20) May 28, 2026
A New York Knicks supporter reacted in equal disbelief, writing, “She was one of their best players. lol.”
She was one of their best players. lol wtf
— Knicks in the Finals🟧🟦 (@JobNoFinish00) May 28, 2026
Another user also expressed surprise due to how well Van Lith settled into her new team, adding, “This is probably one of the few times I’ve been surprised by a player getting waived. It seemed like HVL was a good fit for the Sun.”
This is probably one of the few times I’ve been surprised by a player getting waived. It seemed like HVL was a good fit for the Sun.
— Sha Hartley (@shahartley) May 28, 2026
@BBallQueens also couldn’t understand the decision, writing, “This doesn’t make sense. She had some decent games.”
This doesn’t make sense she had some decent games
— BBallQueens (@BBallQueens) May 28, 2026
A Tom Brady fan account commented, “Connecticut waiving her like she isn’t one of the pieces on the floor keeping them from getting blown out every game.”
Connecticut waiving her like she isn’t one of the pieces on the floor keeping them from getting blown out every game.
— TB EGO (@TomBradyEgo) May 28, 2026
Another account also speculated that there were reasons beyond basketball, writing, “At this point, I have to wonder if there’s some level of bias or politics involved from @WNBA teams. Van Lith is a legitimate rotational guard who can contribute, compete, and bring actual fan interest to the floor.”
At this point, I have to wonder if there’s some level of bias or politics involved from @WNBA teams.
Hailey Van Lith is a legitimate rotational guard who can contribute, compete, and bring actual fan interest to the floor. In a league that struggles at times with offensive… https://t.co/QqvYZrHnsp
— Blake “Axe” Avignon (@bobby_s_axelrod) May 28, 2026
With the Sun in the midst of a rebuild with a league-worst 1-8 record, perhaps they believe Van Lith is better off being signed by a contender that needs a sharpshooting guard off the bench. With the improvement and the shooting numbers she’s produced, she shouldn’t be without a team for too long.
