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Hailey Van Lith has a new home in the WNBA.
Just two days after being waived by the Chicago Sky, Van Lith moves on to another franchise. On Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun were awarded Van Lith after putting in a waiver claim.
The 5-foot-9 guard joins Connecticut after spending her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, appeared in 29 games for Chicago, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. During the Sky's preseason slate this year, Van Lith averaged 12.5 points on 71.4% shooting and had 4.5 assists across two games. On April 25, she scored 20 points against the Phoenix Mercury, going 8-of-8 from the floor.
Van Lith was one of two players signed to a developmental contract on Wednesday. Connecticut also signed former Golden State Valkyries guard Ashlon Jackson to a developmental contract. Jackson was drafted with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
As a developmental player, Van Lith can participate in practices with the Sun and any training activities. She may also be activated for up to 12 games.
In Chicago, Van Lith never found her footing or the balance between scoring and facilitating. Also, despite playing in 29 games, the first-year pro's struggles from 3-point range in college (33.8%) extended into her WNBA career. Van Lith shot just 16.1% from 3-point range as a member of the Sky. She also averaged 1.2 turnovers per matchup, making her first season a slog. Now, in Connecticut, she'll have the chance to develop more as a player without the pressure to produce right away.
On Friday, May 8, the Sun play the New York Liberty at 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in New York to open the 2026 WNBA regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sun sign Hailey Van Lith to WNBA developmental contract before season
Continue reading...
Just two days after being waived by the Chicago Sky, Van Lith moves on to another franchise. On Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun were awarded Van Lith after putting in a waiver claim.
The 5-foot-9 guard joins Connecticut after spending her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, appeared in 29 games for Chicago, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. During the Sky's preseason slate this year, Van Lith averaged 12.5 points on 71.4% shooting and had 4.5 assists across two games. On April 25, she scored 20 points against the Phoenix Mercury, going 8-of-8 from the floor.
Van Lith was one of two players signed to a developmental contract on Wednesday. Connecticut also signed former Golden State Valkyries guard Ashlon Jackson to a developmental contract. Jackson was drafted with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
As a developmental player, Van Lith can participate in practices with the Sun and any training activities. She may also be activated for up to 12 games.
In Chicago, Van Lith never found her footing or the balance between scoring and facilitating. Also, despite playing in 29 games, the first-year pro's struggles from 3-point range in college (33.8%) extended into her WNBA career. Van Lith shot just 16.1% from 3-point range as a member of the Sky. She also averaged 1.2 turnovers per matchup, making her first season a slog. Now, in Connecticut, she'll have the chance to develop more as a player without the pressure to produce right away.
On Friday, May 8, the Sun play the New York Liberty at 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in New York to open the 2026 WNBA regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sun sign Hailey Van Lith to WNBA developmental contract before season
Continue reading...
