Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs pulled up courtside for the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky matchup to cheer on his girlfriend, Hailey Van Lith. The rookie, taken 11th overall by Chicago in the 2025 WNBA Draft, wrapped up her night with seven points, two rebounds, and three made free throws.
From the front row, Suggs kept a close eye, joined by Magic teammate Wendell Carter Jr.
The Sky fell short, losing 79-52, but Van Lith’s performance and Suggs’ appearance kept cameras and fans engaged throughout the night.
Jalen Suggs’ Courtside Appearance at the Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky Game
Fans and media clocked Suggs’ presence almost instantly. Cameras caught him clapping for Van Lith, and the moment blew up online. Despite still being in recovery after a knee surgery, Suggs made the trip to support his partner, who recorded seven points and two rebounds in Sky’s loss to Fever
Jalen Suggs courtside supporting Hailey Van Lith and the Sky 🫶 pic.twitter.com/2wNwJWq6vd
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 8, 2025
Carter Jr.’s courtside appearance added fuel to the chatter, but it was Suggs’ gesture that stole hearts on social. His presence, front and center during Van Lith’s rookie run, didn’t go unnoticed, and fans loved him for it.
Jalen Suggs and Hailey Van Lith’s Relationship Timeline
Suggs and Van Lith were first linked in 2021, when Suggs posted a photo of them with the caption “Yea, we solid on this end”, according to TMZ. The two made things official publicly during the 2025 WNBA Draft, where Suggs and Van Lith shared a kiss after her name was called. This moment quickly made its way to ESPN and social media.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Van Lith opened up about the dynamic of their relationship, explaining that their bond works because basketball isn’t the focal point of their conversations. “We actually don’t talk about sports,” she said. “Keeps the relationship healthy.”
Jalen Suggs and Hailey Van Lith after she was drafted pic.twitter.com/2e5o8gnESV
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) April 15, 2025
The Chicago Sky guard also praised Suggs’ support during an appearance on TODAY, “He doesn’t have to care or show as much compassion for me as he does. He’ll go on a food run for me, he’ll take my clothes back to my stylist. He is so humble.”
The couple’s relationship has become a fan favorite on social media, where Suggs is often referred to as a “HAB” — a play on the term WAG, and shorthand for “husbands and boyfriends” of female athletes.
Jalen Suggs’ NBA Career Highlights
Suggs, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, made his name at Gonzaga and made history with one shot. His deep, last-second three-pointer to send the Bulldogs to the NCAA Championship game is still replayed as one of March Madness’ most unforgettable moments. That buzzer-beater against UCLA? Fans still call it a miracle.
Suggs grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and made his name at Minnehaha Academy, not just in one sport, but two.
He dominated both the hardwood and the gridiron, becoming the first athlete in state history to win Mr. Basketball and Mr. Football in the same year. That kind of two-sport flex? Minnesota had never seen it before.
Jalen Suggs went from being called a bust in his first 2 seasons to being celebrated for his leap in year 3.
No reason he won’t take another in year 4, and instead of $30M, the Magic could be paying $38M+ a year in RFA. Another brilliant move by the front office. pic.twitter.com/5vqFC5DY63
— WeltGawd (@WeltGawd) October 21, 2024
In February 2023, Suggs returned to his high school to retire his jersey numbers in both sports. “This place will always have a special place in my heart,” he said at the ceremony, as reported by Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. “It’s just a product of not only everything that this community has poured into me, but my family, friends, everyone who has helped get me to this point.”
Now a shooting guard with the Magic, Suggs was sidelined in March 2025 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a cartilage fragment in his left knee. A mosaicplasty was also performed.
He told Sports Illustrated that recovery is taking longer than expected. “Progress is slow, and it’s one of those things you can’t really speed up,” he said. “[I’m] taking each day as it comes, physically and mentally, just trying to be fully present with it, but I’m doing good. I’m in a good space.”
Suggs previously stated that his long-term goal is “to be a champion and a contributing role on a championship team.” Despite his current injury, the 24-year-old remains actively engaged, both with the Magic and with Van Lith’s rookie WNBA season.