TCU point guard Hailey Van Lith just made NCAA history, becoming the first male or female player to lead three different schools to the Elite Eight. This run with the Horned Frogs will conclude her fifth and final March Madness dance. As HVL prepares for the 2025 WNBA Draft, what should fans and scouts know about Van Lith’s game and potential landing spots?
“The ‘Miss March’ nickname is deserved and earned,” TCU coach Mark Campbell said. “In this era of the portal and the modern-day college athlete, there are a lot of bad stories about the portal. But Hailey Van Lith leading three schools to the Elite Eight five times? Yes, she gets that title, and she can own it.”
Van Lith began her collegiate career at Louisville, scoring 1,553 points from her freshman through junior seasons. She was a key piece in the Cardinals’ deep tournament runs, leading them to the Final Four in 2022 and the Elite Eight in 2023.
As the nation’s top transfer, she joined the reigning champion LSU Tigers for their Elite Eight run. There her scoring efficiency dipped, leading to her second and final transfer to the TCU Horned Frogs.
HVL also earned Third-Team All-American honors, Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, First-Team All-Big 12, and Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Van Lith brings several standout qualities to the court:
HVL has started and played a total of 171 games throughout her five-year collegiate career, and she is beyond ready for the transition to the WNBA.
Van Lith’s biggest challenge, through no fault of her own, is her size. At just 5-foot-7, HVL will face bigger, taller, stronger, and faster defenders in the WNBA. Her lack of speed and inconsistent shooting could also affect her draft stock and role at the professional level.
Every team in the league will make a first-round selection, except for the Las Vegas Aces, who forfeited their pick due to a rules violation. Recent mock drafts project Van Lith to be selected in the mid-to-late first round, with potential landing spots including the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx, and Chicago Sky.
One team stands out as the best fit—the Los Angeles Sparks.
The rebuilding Sparks hold the No. 9, No. 21, and No. 28 picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft, giving them multiple chances to add the point guard to their roster.
After finishing the 2023 season 17-23, Los Angeles earned the No. 2 pick and acquired the No. 4 pick through trades. The team used its two lottery selections on forwards Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, both expected to be future cornerstones of the Sparks’ franchise.
In free agency, the Sparks made another major move, signing two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum. If drafted by Los Angeles, Van Lith would have the opportunity to learn from Plum, among other veterans, while competing for minutes at point guard.
HVL’s ability to thrive in different environments, her proven success in big moments, and her strong leadership make her a valuable asset in this year’s upcoming WNBA Draft. Los Angeles presents the best fit for her and a chance to contribute to a rebuilding franchise. If the Sparks are looking for a fearless competitor with a winning mentality, Van Lith could be the perfect choice to help them return to the postseason.
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