WNBA: Preseason Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) drives to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of a WNBA pre-season game at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago Sky make final decision on Hailey Van Lith amid preseason roster cuts

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 11, 2025 10:05 PM ET

The Chicago Sky finished their three-game preseason schedule on Saturday night with a 92-87 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in front of 7,615 fans at Target Center. The Sky finished 2-1 in the preseason and will next play their regular season opener against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday.

The Sky needed to cut their roster to 12 following their contest against Minnesota. Rookie draft picks Hailey Van Lith and Maddie Westbeld weren’t guaranteed a roster spot, though many assumed Van Lith, the No. 11 pick, would make the team.

Haily Van Lith had an up-and-down preseason

However, Van Lith struggled against Minnesota on Tuesday, scoring three points on 1-of-3 shooting with five assists in 17 minutes. She was unable to beef up her stats until the Lynx put their reserves on the court.

Van Lith played much better on Saturday night, going 3-of-4 shooting (including two made three-point shots). She finished with eight points, three assists, and one rebound in 15 minutes.

Per the Sky, the team waived Morgan Bertsch, Jessika Carer, and Ally Wilson on Sunday, clearing the roster to 12 before the start of the regular season.

The Chicago Sky are expected to keep two draft picks on the roster

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Maddy Westbeld (21) and TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) fight for a rebound as TCU Horned Frogs face off with Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Sweet 16 at Legacy Arena. Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Per Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, Van Lith and Westbeld are set to make the final roster.

“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,” Poe wrote. “Both signed rookie scale contracts so no further transactions necessary to make that official.”

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

Van Lith is expected to learn under Courtney Vandersloot this season, coming off the bench as she develops her craft in the WNBA.

WNBA: Preseason Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) looks on during the first half of a WNBA pre-season game against the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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