TCU Horned Frogs star guard Hailey Van Lith was selected with the No. 11 pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Van Lith was named Big 12 Player of the Year after averaging 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists as a senior for the Frogs, leading the school to an Elite 8 appearance in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
The guard set TCU’s single-season record for points scored (680) and broke the single-season assist record (204). But now, Van Lith will reunite with forward Angel Reese, whom she played with at Louisiana State University during the 2023-24 season.
Emotional Draft Night: Jalen Suggs Beams as Hailey Van Lith Heads to WNBA
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs and Van Lith have been romantically linked for the past few years, but the alleged couple has kept their relationship relatively out of the public spotlight. However, on draft night, cameras caught Suggs beaming with pride after Van Lith fulfilled her dreams by being selected by the Sky.
Jalen Suggs was all smiles the moment HVL turned her dreams to reality ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EAmaglpyHV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 15, 2025
As Van Lith was selected, ESPN’s broadcast focused on the guard hugging her family members before walking to the stage to be welcomed to the W by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
However, Yahoo Sports posted a video after Van Lith’s selection that showed her sharing a sweet kiss with Suggs in a sweet, romantic moment to put the exclamation point on a huge night.
Hailey Van Lith and Jalen Suggs are couple goals 💜 pic.twitter.com/wPo12rjpvP
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 15, 2025
Van Lith played in 172 collegiate games for three different universities, leading each to an appearance in the Elite 8. As she transitions to the WNBA with the Sky, who finished 2024 with a 13-27 record, Van Lith will be expected to bring her scoring and playmaking skills to a team looking to compete for a playoff spot.
The Sky now features fan favorites Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, and the addition of Van Lith adds more excitement for the franchise as WNBA’s popularity continues to grow around the world.
It was a busy night for Chicago. The franchise also selected forward Ajša Sivka with the No. 10 pick and Van Lith at No. 11. In the second round, the Sky selected Notre Dame forward Maddy Westbeld and Texas A&M guard Aicha Coulibaly.
With Van Lith now set to enter the WNBA, draft night represents the beginning of a new chapter professionally and personally, with Suggs standing by her side proudly. The WNBA season is scheduled to begin May 16. The Sky will look to get back into the playoffs after missing the festivities in 2024 for the first time since 2018. The Sky will start their season on the road on May 17 versus the Indiana Fever.