In a surprising turn of events, former TCU standout Hailey Van Lith has been waived by the Chicago Sky, just one year after being selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft. The move comes as the Sky continue to shape their roster ahead of the new season, leaving fans and analysts alike reflecting on Van Lith's promising yet challenging transition to the professional level.

Van Lith, who turned heads during her collegiate career, showed flashes of her potential in the preseason. In a standout performance against the Phoenix Mercury on April 25, she scored 20 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting, adding three assists in a narrow 108-104 loss. However, her rookie season statistics tell a more measured story: averaging 3.5 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 rebounds over 29 games, while shooting 33.9 percent from the floor and 16.1 percent from beyond the arc. These numbers, while modest, hint at the raw talent that made her a first-round pick.

The 24-year-old guard's journey to the WNBA was nothing short of remarkable. After transferring to TCU for her final collegiate season, she exploded onto the scene, earning All-American honors and All-Big 12 First Team recognition. Her dominance was undeniable, as she was named both Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Alongside teammates Sedona Prince and Madison Conner, Van Lith helped lead the Horned Frogs to a historic 34-4 season, capturing the Big 12 championship and advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

As Van Lith navigates this unexpected turn in her professional career, the basketball community is rallying behind her. One fan summed it up perfectly: "Thank you, Hailey. Wishing you nothing but the best ahead." For a player who has consistently defied expectations, this setback may just be the next chapter in a story that's far from over. Whether she lands with another WNBA team or takes her talents overseas, one thing is certain—her journey is one to watch.