Hailey Van Lith Lands New Job Away From WNBA

Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Hailey Van Lith Lands New Job Away From WNBA

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 7:50 PM ET

Hailey Van Lith and the Connecticut Sun dropped to 10-31 on the 2026 WNBA season on Thursday, suffering a fourth straight loss after falling to Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream 103-59. Now, already eliminated from WNBA playoff contention, the Sun will look toward their next game, hosting Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

Van Lith was signed to a developmental contract over the offseason and has played 20 games for Connecticut since, averaging 5.3 points and 1.9 assists in 15.4 minutes per game. And the former TCU guard has seen more action since the Sun were eliminated from playoff contention, appearing in each of the Sun’s last six games, tallying two points and two assists against the Dream as well.

But with the offseason on the horizon, Van Lith has done what many other WNBA players do, signing with another professional basketball team overseas.

Connecticut Sun guard Hailey van Lith (2) brings the ball up the court against the Portland Fire.Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

On Friday, it was announced that Van Lith has joined the Tokomanawa Queens. The Queens play in the New Zealand women’s basketball league, Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, which plays their home games in front of a maximum of 3,000 fans at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, New Zealand.

With the Sun’s 2026 season coming to a close after their last game on Sept. 24, Van Lith could begin her stint in New Zealand on time, with the Queens opening their new season on Sept. 27 against BNZ Northern Kāhu.

“An Olympic medalist, first-round WNBA draft, FIBA 3×3 World Champion, and relentless playmaker, Hailey Van Lith brings elite bucket-getting mentality to the Tokomanawa Queens backcourt ⛹‍♀️, the Tokomanawa Queens wrote on Instagram. “Renowned for her lethal mid-range jumper, explosive rim pressure, and suffocating on-ball defense, HVL has dominated on the NCAA’s biggest stages, for the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun, and held her own against the world’s best ‍

Combining high-stakes playoff poise with unshakeable competitive fire, she’s ready to ignite the court and set the tone for our 2026 title defense. Wellington, get on your feet—the show is just getting started.”