Hailey Van Lith is a distinguished American basketball player known for her exceptional skills as a guard. Born on September 9, 2001, in Wenatchee, Washington, she stands 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Early Life and Education
Van Lith attended Cashmere High School in Washington, where she became the state’s all-time leading scorer. She earned accolades such as McDonald’s All-American and Washington Ms. Basketball in 2020. She played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northwest Blazers under coach Steve Klees, starting for their top team as both an eighth and ninth grader and earning Adidas All-American honors each year.
College Career
- University of Louisville (2020–2023): Van Lith began her collegiate career with the Louisville Cardinals, where she earned First-Team All-ACC honors twice and led the team to the Final Four in 2022.
- Louisiana State University (LSU) (2023–2024): She transferred to LSU for her senior year, averaging 11.6 points and 3.6 assists per game. The team reached the Elite Eight in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
- Texas Christian University (TCU) (2024–Present): In her fifth season, Van Lith joined TCU, leading the Horned Frogs to their first Big 12 Conference regular-season championship. She was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, becoming the first player to win both awards in the same season. She also earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the Big 12 Tournament.
International Play
Van Lith has represented the United States in international competitions, winning gold medals at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in 2018 and the Under-19 World Cup in 2019. She was named MVP of the 2019 FIBA 3×3 Under-18 World Cup, where she led her team to a gold medal. She also contributed to the senior national team’s gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup and a bronze at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Personal Life
Off the court, Van Lith is known for her strong Christian faith, having been baptized in 2023. She graduated from the University of Louisville in three years with a degree in finance and earned a master’s degree from LSU in 2024. She has also been active in community service, donating $30,000 to the Louisville nonprofit Family Scholar House to support children’s technology programs.
As of April 1, 2025, Van Lith is preparing for the upcoming WNBA draft, with analysts projecting her as a first-round pick due to her impressive collegiate performance and international experience.