Rumors of Hailey Van Lith’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The newly-minted LSU guard is among the biggest stars in college basketball, showcasing her talents over the past few NCAA tournaments. Her battle with Iowa star Caitlin Clark in this year’s Big Dance was the stuff of legend. The two high-scoring, all-purpose guards duked it out to see who could lead their team to the Final Four.
Clark won that battle. She also won the fiery war that engulfed social media shortly thereafter, earning legions of support after seemingly directing a ‘You Can’t See Me’ celebration a la John Cena to Van Lith. It was a cultural touchstone, a moment that captivated some and enraged others.
But it all was a sham, at least according to Van Lith.
MORE: Why did Hailey Van Lith transfer to LSU?
Speaking with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Van Lith indicated that Clark’s stunning gesture was no gesture at all. Rather, it was an inside joke between Clark and Iowa’s strength and conditioning coach, Lindsay Alexander.
As it turns out, Van Lith — the purported target of Clark’s jibs — didn’t even see Clark pull off the move. She was only alerted to her opposite number’s “antics” (if you can even call it that) postgame.
“It was actually hilarious because right after the game I texted her and was like ‘The media is dumb,’” Van Lith said. “‘They just make stuff up.’ … We were laughing about it.
“She did it to her strength coach,” she added. “Like she didn’t do it to anyone on our team. Especially me, definitely not towards me.”
Indeed, Van Lith and Clark have a good relationship. The two were well-involved in Team USA’s youth program growing up, and that fostered a bond between them.
MORE: Is Caitlin Clark playing in the WNBA?
As such, Van Lith felt the need to clarify that there was no ill will toward her from Clark’s viral celebration.
“I didn’t even see it in the game,” Van Lith said. “I was probably dribbling the ball up the court after she just hit a three in our face.”
The mystique of it all was amusing to Van Lith, who never bothered to correct anyone’s portrayal of the incident prior to Monday.
“I’ve just never answered because like who cares,” Van Lith said.
But after months of speculation, the truth finally trickled to the surface.
“Caitlin Clark did not do this to me,” Van Lith said while waving her hand in front of her face. “And if she did, that would’ve been hilarious.”
