Hailey Van Lith | Full Biography and Net Worth

Hailey Ann Van Lith, known by her initials HVL, is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Born on September 9, 2001, in Wenatchee, Washington, Van Lith has established herself as a versatile guard with a storied collegiate career across Louisville, LSU, and TCU, and a decorated international resume, including a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Known for her scoring prowess, playmaking, and competitive spirit, she has overcome personal and professional challenges to become a first-round WNBA draft pick.

Early Life and Background

Hailey Van Lith was born to Jessica and Corey Van Lith in Wenatchee, Washington, and grew up in Cashmere, Washington. Her father, Corey, a former basketball and baseball player at the University of Puget Sound, coached her and instilled a fierce work ethic, training her four to five nights a week in rented gyms. Her mother, Jessica, and Corey run a custom home-building business. Van Lith has an older brother, Tanner, who played baseball at Big Bend Community College. Inspired by the UConn Huskies and WNBA stars like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and Breanna Stewart, Van Lith knew by first grade that basketball was her calling.

At Cashmere High School, Van Lith was a five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2020 class. She became Washington’s all-time leading scorer (boys and girls), surpassing Jennifer Stinson’s record with 46 points in a game against Omak High School on February 15, 2020. Her high school accolades include:

• McDonald’s All-American (2020, canceled due to COVID-19).
• Washington Gatorade Player of the Year (2019, 2020).
• AP Class 1A Player of the Year (2018, 2019, 2020).
• Washington Ms. Basketball (2020).
• Class 1A State Tournament MVP (2019, 2020).

Van Lith also played softball as a center fielder and shortstop, earning NCAA Division I offers by eighth grade. Her high school stats included:

• Freshman: 24.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 3.8 SPG.
• Sophomore: 32 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 7.3 SPG, 5.2 APG, including a quadruple-double (37 points, 14 steals, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) vs. Chelan High School.
• Junior: 34.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.2 SPG, 4.9 APG.
• Senior: 32.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 4.2 SPG.

She led Cashmere to a 26–1 record as a freshman and a third-place finish at the Class 1A state tournament as a junior, though they lost the state title game in her sophomore and senior years.

Van Lith developed a close relationship with Kobe Bryant, training at his Mamba Sports Academy and mentoring his daughter, Gianna. Bryant praised her work ethic, viewing her as a role model for Gianna.

College Career

Van Lith’s collegiate career spanned three schools, leveraging her COVID-year eligibility for a fifth season. She holds the NCAA record for games played (172) and minutes played (5,692).

Louisville (2020–2023)

Van Lith played three seasons at Louisville, starting all 104 games:

• Freshman (2020–21): Averaged 11.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG, earning ACC All-Freshman Team honors. Led Louisville to the Elite Eight.
• Sophomore (2021–22): Averaged 14.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2.2 APG, earning First-Team All-ACC and NCAA Wichita Regional Most Outstanding Player honors. Led Louisville to the Final Four, averaging 19.0 PPG in five NCAA Tournament games.
• Junior (2022–23): Career-high 19.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.2 APG, leading the ACC in minutes played. Scored a career-high 34 points vs. Clemson, shooting 6-for-6 from three. Named First-Team All-ACC and led Louisville to the Elite Eight.

LSU (2023–2024)

Van Lith transferred to LSU, joining the reigning NCAA champions. Her role shifted to point guard, which exposed weaknesses in her decision-making and defense. She averaged 11.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2.4 APG, a dip from her Louisville numbers, and struggled with a 29.8% three-point percentage. LSU reached the Elite Eight, but her stock dropped, with some questioning her fit at the professional level.

TCU (2024–2025)

Using her fifth year, Van Lith transferred to TCU, where she excelled under coach Mark Campbell:

• Averaged 17.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 5.4 APG (career-high).
• Set TCU single-season records for points (680) and assists (204).
• Named Big 12 Player of the Year, First-Team All-Big 12, and Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
• Led TCU to its first Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, reaching the Elite Eight.
• Recorded a career-high 10 assists in multiple games, including a win over Louisville.

Van Lith’s mental health journey was notable at TCU. She openly discussed overcoming suicidal ideations and finding renewed confidence, crediting Campbell’s belief in her. Her performance, including wins over #3 Notre Dame and NC State, reestablished her as a first-round WNBA prospect.

Career College Stats (per Sports-Reference.com):

• Points: 15.2 PPG
• Rebounds: 4.1 RPG
• Assists: 3.4 APG
• Steals: 1.2 SPG
• FG%: 42.2%
• 3P%: 33.8%
• FT%: 84.0%

Accolades:

• AP All-American (2024–25)
• Big 12 Player of the Year (2024–25)
• Big 12 Tournament MVP (2024–25)
• 2x First-Team All-ACC (2021–22, 2022–23)
• 3x NCAA All-Region
• ACC All-Freshman Team (2020–21)

WNBA Career

Van Lith was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky on April 14, 2025. Chicago Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca praised her versatility and winning pedigree. In her rookie season (as of June 2025):

• Played 8 games, averaging 5.3 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, with a 42.4% FG%, 20.0% 3P%, and 80.0% FT% (per Basketball-Reference.com).
• Recorded a career-high 5 rebounds and her second career block in a June 2025 game, seeing increased minutes due to Courtney Vandersloot’s season-ending knee injury.
• Noted for her potential as a combo guard, though her undersized frame (5’9”, 155 lbs) and inconsistent three-point shooting pose challenges against WNBA competition.

Van Lith’s WNBA debut has been modest, but her playmaking and competitiveness suggest room for growth, especially in a bench role

International Career

Van Lith is a seven-time FIBA medalist, including five golds:

• 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup: MVP, led USA to gold.
• 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup: Gold medalist with the senior team.
• 2024 Paris Olympics: Bronze medalist in 3×3 basketball, the first American basketball player to compete in the Olympics during their NCAA career since 1988.
• 2024 3×3 Women’s Series: Gold at Quebec, silver at Springfield, semifinalist at Fribourg.

Her 3×3 experience enhanced her playmaking, with a career-high 29% assist rate at TCU, making her a more viable WNBA prospect.

Off-Court Achievements and Personal Life

Van Lith’s marketability is evident through her endorsement deals with Adidas (her largest NIL deal), Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Valentino, Billionaire Girls Club, and Overtime. With 1.2 million Instagram followers (@haileyvanlith), she promotes women’s sports and shares motivational content. Her net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million, driven by endorsements and social media influence.

Van Lith is dating Jalen Suggs, an NBA player for the Orlando Magic, with relationship rumors starting in 2021. She plans to attend law school to specialize in contract law, leveraging her bachelor’s degree in finance. In 2023, she was baptized, reflecting a personal spiritual journey that helped her overcome mental health struggles, including suicidal ideations.

Van Lith was among the best-dressed stars at the 2025 WNBA Draft, showcasing her fashion sense. Her competitive nature and leadership have drawn comparisons to Sue Bird, though her three-point shooting and defensive limitations differ.

Injuries

Van Lith has faced minor injuries throughout her career, though no major setbacks have been reported. Specific injuries are not well-documented, but her durability is evident in her NCAA-record 172 games played.

Net Worth

Hailey Van Lith’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million as of 2025, per SportsDunia.com. Her income sources include:

• WNBA Contract: Signed a standard rookie-scale contract with the Chicago Sky (specific terms undisclosed, but first-round picks typically earn ~$70,000–$80,000 annually).
• Endorsements: Major deals with Adidas, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Valentino, Billionaire Girls Club, and Overtime.
• Social Media: Monetization of her 1.2 million Instagram followers.

Her net worth is significantly higher than many WNBA rookies due to her endorsement portfolio and social media presence.

Summary Table

Recent Results

As of June 2025, Van Lith’s WNBA stats are limited to 8 games, with a career-high 5 rebounds in a June game (specific opponent not detailed in sources). Her increased minutes stem from Courtney Vandersloot’s absence. For detailed game logs, visit WNBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com. At TCU, her standout performances included:

• Vs. Notre Dame (2024): Led TCU to a win over #3 Notre Dame, overcoming early foul trouble.
• Vs. Louisville (NCAA Tournament, 2024): Recorded 10 assists, helping TCU advance.
• Big 12 Tournament: Named MVP, leading TCU to the title.

Hashtags: HaileyVanLith #WNBA #ChicagoSky #TCU #Louisville #LSU #Olympics2024 #3x3Basketball #Big12 #WomenInSports

Sources

• Wikipedia
• ESPN
• Basketball-Reference.com
• WNBA.com
• NBC Olympics
• SportsDunia.com
• CBSSports.com
• TCU Athletics
• Louisville Athletics
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