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Hailey Van Lith Sounds Off on Career Performance in Sky-Sun Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 9:39 AM ET

While it was Angel Reese who drew all the attention in the Chicago Sky's 78-66 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday--and rightfully so--rookie Hailey Van Lith also turned in an incredible performance in the victory.

Reese logged her first career triple-double in this one, which was the key to Chicago's first win in four games. Van Lith, however, chipped in with a career-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, five rebounds, an assist, a block and one three-pointer in 25 minutes off the bench.

Van Lith spoke to reporters after the game, and the 5-foot-9 guard revealed her mindset during her big night.

“I felt like if I could just carry over a calm state of mind where I’m literally just playing instinctually, that was my goal today,” Van Lith said, via Ben Pickman of The Athletic.

Van Lith, Chicago's 11th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, hasn't exactly had a mind-blowing start to her WNBA career. In eight games played this season, the former TCU star has averaged 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.4 minutes off the bench.

However, as she said, Van Lith has remained patient and has kept herself ready, knowing full well that her moment would come. This was the case on Sunday, with the rookie stepping up to the plate in a major way when her number was called.

The minutes in Chicago's backcourt have opened up significantly since the season-ending injury of starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot, and Van Lith's performance on Sunday might have just earned her a bigger role in head coach Tyler Marsh's rotation.

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

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