LSU Tigers guard Hailey Van Lith transferred to the program last offseason with hopes of helping the team win back-to-back National Championships. But unfortunately, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark prevented them from doing so. And now, Van Lith will be seeking additional opportunities elsewhere.
Van Lith had a solid season at LSU this past season, averaging 11.6 points per game along with 3.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds on the year.
Her numbers fell off a bit from her time at Louisville in the first three seasons of her collegiate career. But that is to be expected joining a far more talented team with teammates like Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow, and Flau’jae Johnson.
The main goal of this LSU team given their talent was always to repeat as national champions. And now that they weren’t able to do so, Van Lith will be seeking other opportunities with her final year of college eligibility.
According to Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports, Van Lith has officially entered the transfer portal for the second time in as many years.
BREAKING: Star LSU guard Hailey Van Lith has entered the transfer portal, per @mzenitz. pic.twitter.com/laCU5NLMFo
— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 4, 2024
Van Lith has become a household name at LSU. So naturally, fans had plenty to say about this decision on social media.
My girl in the portal slide to UCONN Geno gonna get you right ! https://t.co/GKhMHuNkbV
— Don Beezy⛷✨ (@FloLikeBeezy) April 4, 2024
She was Inna portsl before the last game even started just not officially, you could tell her teammates hated her https://t.co/cGnd2kJS4V
— Travis 🍢 (@travis_brickler) April 4, 2024
Good. The way they were disrespecting her and making her the scapegoat for a terrible game plan hurt my heart. ILY @haileyvanlith go be great queen https://t.co/cr1uT7n9l3
— ernnytheman (@ernnytheman) April 4, 2024
Expected this move! Which school will Hailey Van Lith play for next year? https://t.co/KekCWTS5hU
— Maliika Walker (@maliikawalker) April 4, 2024
Van Lith did receive a ton of criticism for LSU’s Elite Eight loss to Iowa, particularly because she struggled both on the offensive end and on the defense guarding Caitlin Clark.
Perhaps for this reason alone, a new change of scenery could be good for Van Lith.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.