Ex-WNBA star critical of Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith, believes popularity played role in draft selection

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Former WNBA star Angel McCoughtry made critical remarks about Chicago Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith over the former TCU women’s basketball player’s social media following.

McCoughtry suggested in a recent podcast interview that Van Lith may not have been looked at in the WNBA if she didn’t have a big social media following. Van Lith was one of the most-followed collegiate athletes on social media. She has 1.3 million followers on Instagram alone.

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FILE - Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) moves the ball down court in the second half a WNBA exhibition basketball game against Brazil in Baton Rouge, La., May 2, 2025.  (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

"If Hailey Van Lith had 10,000 followers, would she be in the league? Let me ask you that," McCoughtry said on "The Daily W." "Honestly. We're just talking about her true talent. Take away her followers. Would she be in the league if she only had 10,000 followers?"

"Hailey Van Lith, she's a decent player," McCoughtry added. "Are there players out there who may be better than Hailey Van Lith? I believe so. They're not popular."

Van Lith was a solid guard for Louisville at the start of her collegiate career. She averaged 15.4 points and 2.5 assists with the Cardinals from 2020 to 2023. He transferred to LSU and played with Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow and transferred again to finish her collegiate career with TCU, which she led to an NCAA tournament berth.

Sept. 23, 2013; Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Dream guard Angel McCoughtry