CHICAGO, IL — Hailey Van Lith, the promising rookie drafted by the Chicago Sky, is enthusiastic about the new team dynamic and the opportunities ahead. She shared her excitement about teaming up with talented teammates Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, highlighting how their presence will influence her game.
“I love playing with size,” Van Lith said regarding how big players make her job easier on the court. “It makes my job a lot easier.” She also spoke on how her experience with Reese has evolved since the two played college basketball at LSU. “It’s a different environment than when I played with Angel the first time, but I think that’s all good things. We’re both different players now, and I believe that will be a positive.”
Van Lith is particularly excited about the prospect of playing alongside Kamilla Cardoso. Having competed against Cardoso numerous times in college, she expressed her anticipation.
“I’ve played against Kamilla a lot of times, but I’ve never got to play with her, so I’m excited to be on the receiving end of that now and not have to play against her anymore.” She believes that their energy and youthful enthusiasm will add a fresh flavor to the team, describing it as “a youthful flare, some fun energy, and I think it’ll be a great time.”
Watching her development, Van Lith highlighted how the WNBA’s style of play — especially its focus on spacing — aligns with her strengths. “The WNBA provides a lot of spacing, and I think our roster is very talented in that regard,” she explained. “Whenever I get the chance to play in space with talented bigs and guards around me, that’s when I can do my job best.”
She also expressed her confidence in the new system under head coach Tyler Marsh, especially working alongside Angel Reese.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with Angel in this new system and seeing how it goes,” Van Lith said. “I think that will be even more impactful than when we played together in college.” Her optimism about the potential of their chemistry and the evolving team dynamics underscores her readiness to contribute and adapt professionally.
Van Lith’s excitement about her role as a rookie with the Chicago Sky is palpable. She’s eager to leverage her skills and enjoy the energy of her new teammates, while embracing the strategic spacing and versatility that define the modern WNBA style. With her positive outlook and drive, Van Lith is poised to impact her team’s success significantly.
