You can put winning in Hailey Van Lith’s DNA, but you might want to add “summa cum laude” right next to it.
The 5-foot-9 combo guard didn’t just make headlines for her on-court skills — she handled business in the classroom, too. Before her name gets called in the 2025 WNBA Draft, fans are finally learning just how much brainpower she’s bringing to the big league.
Yeah, she’s a baller. But Van Lith? She’s also a certified scholar.
From Buckets to Banking: Hailey Van Lith’s Degree Journey
Van Lith earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Louisville. And she did it in style — with summa cum laude honors. That means she posted a GPA of at least 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. Now that’s elite efficiency, on and off the court.
She finished that degree in just three years before taking her talents to LSU and later TCU for her COVID-granted extra year. But she didn’t stop at the bachelor’s. Van Lith also completed her master’s while at LSU. The grind never stopped.
What’s even cooler? She’s not done yet. In interviews, Van Lith revealed she’s seriously considering pursuing a law degree down the line. All because she took one law class as an elective and got hooked. She’s got that curious, analytical mind — and clearly knows how to follow through.
Elite Eights, Master’s Degrees, and WNBA Future
Forget the transfer portal drama. Van Lith thrived no matter where she played. She’s the first player in NCAA history to reach the Elite Eight with three different schools: Louisville, LSU, and TCU. That stat alone might be enough to earn her a late first-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which tips off Monday.
And just like her stat lines this past season — 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds per game — her draft stock is trending up.
While her teammate Sedona Prince drew attention in the paint, Van Lith’s guard play and leadership were impossible to miss, especially for teams looking for a high-IQ floor general who can shoot, facilitate, and bring veteran-level maturity from day one.
With a finance degree, a master’s, and potentially law school in her future, Van Lith proves she’s more than just a hooper. She’s built for longevity — whether on the court, in the boardroom, or maybe even in the courtroom someday.
WNBA GMs: She’s officially one of the safest bets in the draft.
