Sun Claim Hailey Van Lith Off Waivers, Reuniting Guard With Familiar Leadership.

The Connecticut Sun have claimed guard Hailey Van Lith off waivers following her recent release from the Chicago Sky, the team confirmed Wednesday. Van Lith’s arrival in Connecticut signals another step in the franchise’s ongoing youth movement. The 5-foot-9 point guard will also reunite with Sun president Jen Rizzotti, who previously coached her in USA Basketball’s 3x3 program, including during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Originally selected No. 11 overall by Chicago in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Van Lith saw limited action during her rookie season. She averaged 3.5 points in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances while managing an ankle injury that sidelined her for stretches of the year. Sources indicate the former collegiate standout—who played at Louisville Cardinals, LSU Tigers, and TCU Horned Frogs—has fully recovered after an offseason focused on rehabilitation. Van Lith, a former All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year, showed flashes of her scoring ability during the preseason, averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting an efficient 71.4% from the field. Her departure from Chicago came shortly after the Sky added veteran guard Natasha Cloud on a one-year deal, a move that reshaped the team’s backcourt rotation.

In Connecticut, Van Lith joins a roster heavy on emerging talent. The Sun now have four rookies and four second-year players in camp (excluding developmental signee Ashlon Jackson) as they prepare for final roster decisions ahead of the league’s cutdown deadline.

With a clean bill of health and a familiar voice in leadership, Van Lith will have an opportunity to carve out a larger role as Connecticut continues to build around its next generation.