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Chicago Sky Receive Big Hailey Van Lith Update on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated May 29, 2025 1:37 PM ET

With the Chicago Sky vs Dallas Wings tip-off looming, the Sky have received a potentially game-changing development.

On Thursday, rookie guard Hailey Van Lith was spotted taking part in the team's shootaround, per WNBA reporter Grant Afseth, lifting hopes that she may return from a nagging ankle injury that sidelined her for the past two contests.

Van Lith tweaked her ankle in mid-May and was ruled out of back-to-back games versus the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury, both losses.

Chicago's official injury report lists Van Lith as "questionable" for Thursday’s contest, but this video footage of her ramping up shots suggests she may get the green light.

Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (ankle) is listed questionable against the Dallas Wings. She was on the floor during the open portion of Chicago Sky shootaround. pic.twitter.com/yNV9rcKnqQ
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) May 29, 2025

The Sky used the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft on Van Lith, a 5-foot-9 guard who averaged 11.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals during her senior year at LSU before earning an extra season at TCU that boosted her draft stock.

Last season with the Horned Frogs, she averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 assists (career-high), 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 38 games, shooting 45.2% from the field, 33.8% from deep, and 82.7% from the free-throw line.

Van Lith appeared in Chicago’s first two games, contributing modestly in limited minutes behind veteran Courtney Vandersloot.

In 15 minutes against the New York Liberty on May 22, she scored four points and dished six assists, flashing the playmaking upside that made her a first-round selection.

Under new head coach Tyler Marsh, Chicago has dropped its first four games, plunging them to the bottom of the East, only a half-game ahead of the Connecticut Sun (0-5).

2024 WNBA All-Star Angel Reese has been a bright spot, leading the league in rebounds (14.0 RPG) through the early weeks.

But with the Sky still searching for their first win, the return of fresh offensive firepower off the bench is badly needed.

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

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