Chicago Sky waive Hailey Van Lith just one year after selecting her with 11th overall pick

Kyle Whittingham sounded off on the reality of $50M rosters in college football, raising serious questions about where the sport is headed.

Life comes at you fast in the WNBA, but it comes even faster when you’re Hailey Van Lith.

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The women's college hoops star and 2025 high draft pick is now looking for a job after the Chicago Sky waived Van Lith, something of a surprise to many.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Chicago Sky high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25, 2025 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))

The decision comes just one year after the Sky picked Van Lith with the 11th overall pick, choosing to fill that void by signing veteran Natasha Cloud, a move that suggests Chicago may have already given up on Van Lith's development.

SKY REUNITE HAILEY VAN LITH WITH ANGEL REESE IN WNBA DRAFT

It was not long ago that Van Lith was one of the most recognizable names in college hoops and one of the first NIL stars during her time at Louisville.

Van Lith's rookie campaign in 2025 saw her average fewer than four points per game. At a certain point, people were more interested in her off-court relationship with Jalen Suggs than her on-court potential. It'll be a rough week for both, as Suggs and the Magic saw their season end Sunday in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

By bringing in Cloud on a $555,000 deal, Chicago is betting that a proven floor general is worth more than the upside of a high-profile draft pick.

SKY TRADE ANGEL REESE IN STUNNING MOVE BEFORE WNBA SEASON BEINGS: REPORTS

Hailey Van Lith