LSU’s Hailey Van Lith shirtless fit at WNBA Game
Hailey Van Lith has been in the news a lot recently. First for her controversial switch to the LSU Tigers from the Louisville Cardinals to team up with national champion, Angel Reese.
She was in the news yet again when she showed up to the WNBA All-Star game at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas topless with only a bra on.
https://www.tiktok.com/@haileyvanlith/video/7257693121713048875?referer_url=www.sportskeeda.com%2Fcollege-basketball%2Fwatch-hailey-van-lith-causes-stir-amongst-fans-shirtless-appearance-wnba-game&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121351166%2C71838019%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&referer_video_id=7257693121713048875
Hailey Van Lith is no stranger to controversy, with Caitlin Clark’s ‘you can’t see me’ gesture during their Elite Eight matchup originally thought to be a taunt against her. She came out and cleared the air afterward.
“We were laughing about it because she did it to her strength coach. Clark didn’t do it to anyone on our team, especially me.”
Hailey Van Lith has steadily grown her social media following after her notable campaign with Louisville and her transfer to LSU. She currently has 213,000 TikTok followers and 875,000 Instagram followers.
Hailey Van Lith’s growing stature
Hailey Van Lith’s move to the LSU Tigers was unexpected, but she cited their strong culture of supporting women’s basketball, her mental health, and her relationship with head coach Kim Mulkey.
Her explanation for the unexpected move was warmly received by college basketball fans.
“It came down to my ability to be happy, and I had to put myself first,” she said. “I had done my part, and I had sacrificed myself and given my all to that program. But at the end of the day, I just I wasn’t enjoying everyday life. It was a situation there where I chose that I deserve happiness.”
She had a stellar season with Louisville, averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. In her three seasons there, she led them to an Elite Eight appearance last season and a Final Four spot the season before that.
Van Lith has two seasons of eligibility remaining due to the extra COVID year college athletes were awarded. She is also eligible to declare for the WNBA next year in what promises to be a competitive draft class containing the likes of Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark.
Van Lith was recently part of Team USA’s women’s 3×3 as they won the FIBA World Cup for the first time since 2014, beating France 16-12. She had 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds during the title game.
Van Lith has seen her stature grow in the past few months in an era where stars like Caitlin Clark, Olivia Dunne, and Angel Reese seem to be dominating the news cycles.
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“GOT SOME DAWGS”: A’JA WILSON CHALLENGES ANGEL REESE FOR THE WNBA
The NCAA sensation Angel Reese is gearing up for her WNBA draft. Having made a lot of noise in the past year, Reese is being considered a prime prospect in the upcoming WNBA draft. However, before she reaches the big stage, WNBA star A’ja Wilson has a word of advice for the 21-year-old.
A’ja Wilson’s prediction for Angel Reese
Reese is still in her last year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. However, the big moment in her career is not far enough now. Wilson said, “She [Reese] got a couple years to grow, just to let it translate over. It’s gonna be tough and hard because our league is so tough. Like…we got some dawgs at every position.” Wilson has five years experience of playing in the WNBA, so she is an ideal person to advise the youngster who is on the verge of getting her big break.
Wilson said that Reese possesses several qualities that will make her a good basketball player in the league. However, the 2x WNBA champion said that she will still need some time before she is league-ready. She said that there is a lot of talent in the WNBA and the competition is cutthroat, so Reese will have to work harder to secure a starting position.
However, the WNBA star is confident as she sees something in the NCAA champion that makes her special. Wilson said, “When I see her play, I’m like okay, she got something to her”.
Reese still has a year left to become eligible for the WNBA draft.
Angel Reese snubbed in WNBA 2024 mock draft
Reese has been one of the most talked-about names in the basketball world this year. Her NCAA championship run created a kind of hype around her name that very few athletes get to experience. However, the LSU star was placed in the eighth position in ESPN’s mock draft 2024. This was a surprise to many and even her coach Kim Mulkey had a few words to say after the projection.
Mulkey said that Reese read the ESPN projected list and was unhappy about it. The head coach said, “That was an insult to her.” Despite that, Mulkey is focused on preparing Reese for the big day, without being bothered by the projections.
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CAITLIN CLARK’S BOYFRIEND IS IOWA HAWKEYES ROYALTY LIKE HER. IOWA BASKETBALL STAR CAITLIN CLARK SHARES GLIMPSE OF BOYFRIEND
Caitlin Clark is capping off summer in the “best” way.
The star Iowa guard, 21, gave fans a glimpse of her end-of-the-season plans Monday on Instagram, where she posted pics with her apparent boyfriend, former Hawkeye Connor McCaffery.
“Best end to summer,” Clark captioned the post, which featured the duo cozying up on a boat.
Star Iowa guard Caitlin Clark appeared in an Instagram photo with former Hawkeye Connor McCaffery.Caitlin Clark/Instagram
Connor McCaffery dropped a heart emoji in the comments of Caitlin Clark’s post.Caitlin Clark/Instagram
McCaffery, who is the son of Iowa’s men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery, later commented, “U CUTE,” with emojis of a heart and fingers crossed.
Clark also dropped a pink heart animation next to McCaffery’s Instagram handle.
Clark and McCaffery, 25, are “believed to have been together for several months now,” according to The Spun.
McCaffery was a member of the Hawkeyes basketball team, wrapping up his collegiate career in March when Iowa lost to Auburn in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Iowa’s Connor McCaffery (30) drives to the basket in an NCAA tournament matchup against Auburn in March 2023.Getty Images
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery hugs Connor McCaffery following a loss to Auburn in the NCAA tournament in March 2023.Getty Images
“Not really sure how to start this but just need to thank everyone who has been along for this journey,” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
“I could say so much more, but I’m going to leave it at that for now. Being a Hawkeye has been amazing.”
McCaffery went on to sign an offer to join the Indiana Pacers’ staff, the Des Moines Register reported in May.
“I’ll play dummy defense, run the scout team, help coaches on film stuff, help on video projects if they need, scouting reports if they need,” he said of his role as a team assistant.
Caitlin Clark during the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in March 2023.Getty Images
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) and LSU’s Angel Reese (10) during the national championship game in April 2023.Getty Images
“It’s kind of all-hands on deck, whatever you’re asked to do, be ready to do it.”
As for Clark, she is entering her senior year at Iowa following a prolific junior season, averaging 27.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game.
She and the Hawkeyes reached the national championship game in this year’s NCAA tournament but lost to the LSU Tigers in April, 102-85.
“Spring semester was one to remember…,” Clark wrote on Instagram in May, “on to senior year.”