News - The Chicago Sky have released promising guard Hailey Van Lith.

In a surprising move ahead of the 2025 WNBA regular season, the Chicago Sky have waived their first-round draft pick Hailey Van Lith. Selected 11th overall in the 2025 draft, Van Lith showed her potential with an impressive collegiate resume and strong preseason performances. As a rookie, the 24-year-old guard contributed an average of 3.5 points and 1.6 assists over 29 games. Despite not starting any games, her talent was evident, highlighted by her preseason averages of 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. Her release comes as WNBA teams are required to finalize their rosters by Thursday evening. The Sky's initial decision to invest in Van Lith was based on her outstanding collegiate achievements at Louisville, LSU, and TCU, where she earned All-American honors and was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. In her final college season with the TCU Horned Frogs, she averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, showcasing her all-around skills on the court. Van Lith's departure from the roster is unexpected, especially after her performances proved she could be an asset to any team. Despite her release, she stands as a promising candidate for other teams seeking to strengthen their backcourt. Chicago is set to open the season against the newly established Portland Fire, an expansion team making its debut in the league. With this roster change, the Sky will need to adapt quickly as they aim to start their season on a high note against newly formed rivals. While Van Lith's journey with the Chicago Sky has come to an early end, her potential and capability continue to draw attention around the league.