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Hailey Van Lith Issues Telling Comments on Chicago Sky Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 3:55 PM ET

Chicago’s 4-10 start has tested the Sky’s depth and development plans this spring.

Averaging just 77.9 points per game (12th in the WNBA) and surrendering 88.2 points per contest (dead last), Tyler Marsh’s squad has leaned heavily on its rising stars to stay competitive, one of which is rookie guard Hailey Van Lith.

But the veteran presence that Van Lith praised on Friday was of legend Courtney Vandersloot, whose season came to an abrupt halt on June 7 with a torn ACL.

Despite averaging just 4.9 points and 1.5 assists in 14.6 minutes per game, Van Lith has shown confidence in her playmaking ability and quick decision making, an approach she credits to early sessions with Vandersloot.

"Sloot checks all the boxes," Van Lith told Khristina Williams on the "In Case You Missed It" podcast, describing how Vandersloot’s "safety net" of advice on setting screens, reading coverages and adjusting actions has accelerated her growth in the first month of her pro career.

Chicago Sky’s @haileyvanlith shares how valuable it was to learn from Courtney Vandersloot early in the season and how she’s leaning on that now with Vandersloot out.

Full episode: https://t.co/TRxgrQa5wx pic.twitter.com/SIy66QWsO3
— In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams (@ICYMIwithKW) June 27, 2025

Vandersloot’s resume is one of the richest in WNBA history.

A third-overall pick in 2011, she spent 12 seasons anchoring the Sky’s backcourt before stints overseas and with the New York Liberty.

A two-time champion (Sky in 2021, Liberty in 2024), five-time All-Star and seven-time assists leader, Vandersloot became Chicago's all-time leading scorer (3,745 career points) earlier this year before her season-ending injury.

Prior to her injury, the 36-year-old was averaging 10.6 points, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.3 minutes over seven games, continuing her climb into the WNBA’s upper echelon of floor generals.

Yet even despite being sidelined, Vandersloot has continued to make an impact by mentoring her young teammates like Van Lith.

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

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