LSU’s bid for the Final Four halted on Monday night as they succumbed to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in a gripping Elite Eight showdown. However, the loss carried deeper implications for the Tigers as it likely marked the end of Hailey Van Lith’s tenure with the team.
Van Lith, the 22-year-old standout, has reportedly entered the transfer portal, as per various sources. With four years of college basketball under her belt, Van Lith’s decision comes amidst an additional year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having spent three impactful seasons at the forefront of women’s basketball in Louisville, Van Lith made waves last offseason by opting to transfer. Amidst considerations from prestigious programs like Stanford and South Carolina, she eventually found her way to LSU, the reigning champions at the time.
However, with the culmination of the current season, Van Lith faced a pivotal decision. With Wednesday being the deadline to declare for the imminent WNBA Draft, speculation loomed over her future.
Notably, when the league released the list of players who formally applied for inclusion on Thursday, Van Lith’s name was conspicuously absent. Her absence from the draft declaration suggests that Van Lith has chosen to forego the opportunity to join the ranks of this year’s WNBA prospects.
This decision places her on a divergent path from notable peers like Caitlin Clark, teammate Angel Reese, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and Stanford’s Cameron Brink, who are all set to enter the draft fray.
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