Chicago Sky Make Hailey Van Lith Decision Before Playing Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 12, 2025 2:43 PM ET

The 2025 WNBA season begins this week. While opening night is Friday, all eyes are on Saturday's matchup between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. These two Eastern Conference teams will tip-off at 3:00 p.m ET in another highly-anticipated battle between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

Indiana won the 2024 season series over Chicago 3-1. Clark averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists in those games, while Reese put up 13.5 points and 13.3 rebounds. Both teams have made significant roster additions since then.

For Chicago, one of its most notable offseason moves was the No. 11 overall draft selection of former TCU guard Hailey Van Lith.

While she finished her collegiate career at TCU, Van Lith spent one season with Reese at LSU (2023-24). That season, the Tigers lost to Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Regional Final.

Ahead of Saturday's matchup against Clark, the Sky officially made the decision to place Van Lith on their final roster. Making the final training camp cuts, Chicago narrowed its roster down to 12 players, which includes the No. 11 overall pick.

The Sky make their final cuts to 12 players which all but confirms that Hailey Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld will make the final roster.

Both signed rookie scale contracts so no further transactions necessary to make that official. pic.twitter.com/HmgOjb2dvH
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 11, 2025

In that 2024 Regional Final final game against Iowa, Van Lith was often tasked with guarding Clark. The 5-foot-9 guard had little success, with Clark going for 41 points and 12 assists on 13-for-29 from the field.

Van Lith also struggled offensively in that game, scoring just nine points on 2-for-10 from the field. The Washington native averaged 15.2 points in her collegiate career, and projects to give Chicago some valuable guard depth in her rookie season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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