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Chicago Sky standout Angel Reese sounds more than ready to get back on the court alongside her former LSU teammate Hailey Van Lith.
The Sky had the 10th and 11th picks in the first round of Monday’s WNBA Draft. Chicago used the latter to select Van Lith.
While Van Lith is listed as a TCU alum, she spent her penultimate college season in Baton Rouge.
Following LSU’s 2023 NCAA Tournament championship run with Reese leading the charge, Van Lith transferred to the team with the hope of helping them go back-to-back. But LSU bowed out against a Caitlin Clark-led Iowa squad during the 2024 Elite Eight in a game that probably still haunts Van Lith’s nightmares.
Reese went on X to express her excitement about her reunion with Van Lith.
We ain’t do it right the first time. Let’s run it backkkkk https://t.co/8PXLsHkUyN
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 15, 2025
Van Lith was considered one of the best players in the country before she transferred to LSU in 2023. But she took a backseat on a loaded Tigers team, averaging just 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists on a career-worst 37.8% shooting clip.
Van Lith regained her scoring form at TCU. She was the clear first option on the Horned Frogs and helped lead them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
Van Lith carried TCU all the way to the Elite Eight, which drew also praise from Reese. Now the two are teammates once again.
More must-reads:
- WNBA Draft takeaways: A new Paige in the book of the league
- Sky reunite Angel Reese with ex-LSU teammate through WNBA Draft
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
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New era taking shape for Mystics ahead of WNBA trade deadline
The Aug. 7 WNBA trade deadline is on Thursday, and for the Washington Mystics, it’s clear a new era is taking shape. After trading All-Defensive guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in exchange for Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round draft pick, the optimism is that the Mystics could be suitable trade partners for any team looking to offload a huge contract attached with draft compensation. It all starts with Shakira Austin. When healthy, she’s the franchise cornerstone — strong in the paint, athletic and able to anchor the defense. But now she’s getting help from two rising rookies who are starting to turn heads. Kiki Iriafen, the rookie out of Stanford, has been a revelation. Her energy is nonstop, she crashes the boards like a vet and her confidence is growing with each game. She’s not just filling minutes — she’s making an impact. Pairing her with Austin in the frontcourt gives the Mystics a gritty, physical presence they can build around. And then there’s Sonia Citron, who might be one of the smoothest rookies in the league right now. Her basketball IQ, her pace, her ability to make plays without forcing shots — it’s all there. With Sykes gone, expect Citron to take on more responsibility. She’s earned it. Of course, there are still moves that could happen. Aaliyah Edwards has been generating trade buzz since June, and Washington has a crowded frontcourt. If the team can flip Edwards or any veteran not a part of the long-term plans for future draft capital, it would align perfectly with what they’re building. The Mystics may not be making a playoff push this year, but don’t sleep on what’s happening in D.C. This team is rebuilding with purpose. And with Austin, Iriafen and Citron leading the way, the future is starting to look bright.
Patriots stars react to HC Mike Vrabel getting bloodied while breaking up camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
NFL Hall of Famer reveals why he chose to join Deion Sanders' Colorado coaching staff
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