The Chicago Sky is already turning heads in the 2025 WNBA preseason, starting strong with back-to-back victories over the Minnesota Lynx and the Brazilian national team.
With exciting new additions like Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld from the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Sky are building a promising foundation for the upcoming season. But amidst the growing hype, one statement has stood out, which is a glowing endorsement of Van Lith from a fellow guard.
Courtney Vandersloot’s Unique Praise for Hailey Van Lith
Courtney Vandersloot, who is a five-time WNBA All-Star and one of the league’s all-time leaders in assists, returned to Chicago this season after a stint with the New York Liberty, where she averaged 6.4 points per game in 2024.
While many eyes are on her leadership and experience, Vandersloot made headlines when she praised Van Lith’s poise, intensity, and immediate impact on the team.
“Hailey [Van Lith] is great. She’s like a sponge. She’s listened to everything I say. I think the best part of it is that we can compete in practice. We’re going to make each other better. She plays me hard, and she’s going to make me better. Just as much as I’m going to try and make her better,” Vandersloot said, per journalist Sara Jane Gamelli.
This comment came following the Sky’s May 6 preseason win against the Lynx. In that game, Van Lith scored three points while Vandersloot chipped in with an efficient 11-point performance.
Van Lith, who was selected No. 11 overall by the Sky in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has quickly become a focal point of Chicago’s backcourt. Her college résumé is nothing short of impressive. In her final season with the TCU Horned Frogs, she averaged 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game as she guided her team all the way to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
With Vandersloot mentoring her, Van Lith has the perfect environment to develop quickly. Chicago’s early preseason wins are a sign that this formula might already be working. As the WNBA gears up for another thrilling year, the Sky are no longer just rebuilding — they’re also reloading.
Angel Reese Also Seems Happy With Van Lith
Upon her arrival to Chicago, Van Lith has wasted no time making her presence felt — both on and off the court. Not only has the rookie guard begun to shift attention from veterans like Vandersloot, but she’s also clearly captured the attention of teammate Angel Reese.
In the Sky’s first preseason game against the Brazilian national team, the franchise announced that Van Lith would receive extended minutes off the bench. The decision paid off, as she put up seven points and contributed solid minutes in the team’s commanding 89-62 win.
Following the game, Reese, Van Lith’s former LSU teammate, took to Instagram to express her excitement. She reposted a clip of Van Lith’s performance in her story with the caption “oh my HVL,” clearly proud of her teammate’s performance.
With their shared past at LSU and now a future together in Chicago, it’s clear that the chemistry between Reese and Van Lith is growing stronger. For the Sky, this budding connection between two of their youngest players is a promising sign for what lies ahead this season.