April 14th was supposed to be a celebration. Hailey Van Lith, one of the most talked-about players in college hoops, was expected to go early in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She had the game, the marketability, and a bounce-back season at TCU that reminded everyone why she was such a big deal to begin with. But as pick after pick came and went, her name still hadn’t been called. She was finally taken at No. 11 by the Chicago Sky, but by then, the shock had already kicked in. For someone who averaged nearly 18 points, over five assists, four and a half rebounds on good efficiency, to fall that far just seemed … wrong. Actually, it felt like a flat-out injustice. And a lot of eyes turned to Golden State.
The Valkyries had the No. 5 pick in their very first draft. New team, new market, big moment. Most folks figured they’d go for a player who could give the franchise some instant energy—someone like Hailey Van Lith, who already had fans, buzz, and a proven college resume. But Golden State zigged when everyone expected them to zag.
Head coach Natalie Nakase and her staff opted for 19-year-old Lithuanian guard Justė Jocytė instead. Jocytė does have international experience and genuine promise, to be sure. But in terms of name recognition, especially in the United States, she remains a mystery to most basketball fans.
ESPN’s Elle Duncan didn’t hold back, “I thought Golden State would make a bit more of a splashy move. We sort of likened it to whether they would make their Trey Young move, like the Hawks did when they forewent Luka Dončić, as we all famously know… We wondered if Golden State would, for the sake of selling tickets, make a really flashy move. Would they bring in someone that was really popular. Like Hailey Van Lith, whom most people probably would have told you shouldn’t have been a top-five pick. But we were sort of interested to see what they ended up doing.”
TUCSON, AZ – FEBRUARY 16: TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith 10 during a basketball game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Arizona Wildcats on February 16, 2025, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 16 Women s – TCU at Arizona EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25021688
Duncan’s reaction echoed the broader sentiment—Golden State missed a moment. Nakase’s decision, while rational from a player development standpoint, opened the door for criticism. The Valkyries not only bypassed Van Lith’s production, but also her ability to immediately inspire their brand new fanbase. And what Golden State left on the table, Chicago eagerly took it.
Hailey Van Lith’s Chicago arrival feels like a perfect fit
The No. 11 pick could end up being the steal of the 2025 WNBA Draft. When Hailey Van Lith heard her name called, it didn’t feel like a consolation prize; it felt like fate. “Deep in my heart, I wanted to come to the Sky,” Van Lith said. “I felt like just with the two quick conversations that I had, I felt a ton of alignment, and I felt like they saw who I was as a player. And I felt valued.”
That sort of trust runs both ways. Van Lith has not just landed at a roster, but in a place where she is wanted. It’s the type of thing that often translates on the court.
Even more interesting is her reunion with former LSU teammate Angel Reese. The pair’s season in college together failed to live up to expectations but the pair seem enthusiastic about their pro reunion. “I believe our impact will be even greater than when we were teammates in college,” Hailey Van Lith said.
Syndication: The Des Moines Register LSU Lady Tigers guard Flau jae Johnson 4 forward Angel Reese 10 and guard Hailey Van Lith 11 take questions from the media at MVP Arena, Sunday, March 31, 2024 in Albany, N.Y. Des Moines , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xZachxBoyden-Holmes/ThexRegisterx USATSI_22910769
It’s worth noting the WNBA’s quicker pace and more spaced-out floor could help both players flourish. Once again, Chicago fans have a lot to be excited about—both for what Van Lith can do on the floor, and also for what chemistry she could unlock in Reese. Golden State, on the other hand, might regret playing it safe.
As the Sky gain momentum with a player hungry to prove she was worth more than the 11th pick, the Valkyries are left hoping their gamble on potential pays off. The franchise passed on star power, ticket sales, and a player who brings both substance and spotlight.
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