Brittney Griner welcomes Hailey Van Lith after surprising Sky departure originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Hailey Van Lith’s time with the Chicago Sky ended far sooner than many expected, but the former first-round pick is already getting a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the WNBA. Just days after being waived by Chicago before the regular season, Van Lith was claimed by the Connecticut Sun, giving the former college star another chance to establish herself at the professional level.
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The move quickly became one of the more talked-about roster developments around the league, especially considering Van Lith had already participated in the Sky’s preseason games and media obligations. Chicago’s decision reportedly came down to a “style-of-play preference,” according to ESPN, as first-year head coach Tyler Marsh continues reshaping the franchise’s roster and identity heading into the 2026 season.
While the split raised eyebrows around the WNBA, Connecticut’s response showed there was still strong interest in Van Lith around the league. The Sun moved quickly to bring her aboard, and one of the team’s biggest stars wasted no time welcoming her to the organization.
Brittney Griner sends a message to Hailey Van Lith
Shortly after the Sun claimed Van Lith off waivers, veteran center Brittney Griner posted a public message showing excitement about the addition.
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“HVL 💪🏾🔥. CT young and turnt for real 🤣 I love it 🔥,” Griner wrote on Threads.
Van Lith also appeared energized by the move. After Connecticut shared the announcement on Instagram, she reposted it to her story and added her own reaction:
“Oh we love the Sun over here.”
The quick support from both Griner and Connecticut fans gave Van Lith a noticeably different atmosphere after what had been a difficult week professionally.
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Chicago Sky move on from former first-round pick
Chicago originally selected Van Lith with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after a standout college career that included stops at Louisville, LSU and TCU. Despite her popularity and offensive résumé, her transition to the WNBA has been uneven so far.
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Van Lith appeared in 29 games during her rookie season and averaged 3.5 points per game. The Sky later chose to replace her roster spot with veteran guard Natasha Cloud, who arrives from the defending champion New York Liberty after averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 assists last season.
The move signals Chicago is prioritizing experience and pace entering Marsh’s first season leading the franchise.
Connecticut could offer a cleaner path for Van Lith
For Connecticut, Van Lith represents a low-risk addition with upside. The Sun are entering a new era with several roster changes and appears focused on blending veteran leadership with younger talent.
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That could create a more natural developmental opportunity for Van Lith, who remains one of the most recognizable names from recent women’s college basketball. Her confidence, shot creation and scoring ability made her a star at the NCAA level, and Connecticut now becomes the latest team to see whether those skills can translate more consistently in the WNBA.
The Sun will open the regular season against the defending champion New York Liberty at Barclays Center, where Van Lith could make her first official appearance with her new team.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
