LSU’s Hailey Van Lith struggled in the Elite Eight game against Iowa, where she had the challenging task of guarding star player Caitlin Clark. Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, dropped 41 points and led Iowa to victory. Van Lith entered the transfer portal for the second time in her college career after spending just one year with LSU. Her numbers dipped in her senior season, with her points per game dropping from 19.7 at Louisville to 11.6 at LSU, and her field goal percentage seeing a decrease as well. Despite this being her senior season, Van Lith has one more year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Van Lith had until Wednesday to declare for the WNBA Draft, but she did not do so, despite considering herself a “pro-type player.” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey praised Van Lith after the game, expressing pride in coaching her for a year and acknowledging the leap of faith she took in leaving Louisville to join the Tigers. Angel Reese also declared for the draft, leaving LSU without two of their best players for the upcoming season. Flau’Jae Johnson, who contributed 23 points in the game against Iowa, will enter her junior year with the team.
Van Lith’s struggles in guarding Clark during the Elite Eight game against Iowa became a talking point, with Clark’s performance earning her recognition for her outstanding skills. Despite reportedly battling an illness during the game, Van Lith found it challenging to contain Clark, who scored 41 points and hit nine 3-pointers to lead Iowa to the Final Four. Van Lith joined LSU after spending her first three college seasons with Louisville, where she received multiple accolades, including first-team All-ACC honors. However, her performance with LSU did not match her previous numbers, with a lower points per game and field goal percentage.
As Van Lith contemplates her next steps after entering the transfer portal and missing the deadline for the WNBA Draft declaration, questions remain about her future in college basketball. Despite the challenges she faced during her senior season with LSU, Van Lith received praise from her coach and expressed pride in her decision to join the team. With one more year of eligibility remaining, Van Lith has the option to continue her college basketball career or explore other opportunities. The departure of Van Lith and Reese leaves LSU with a new lineup for the upcoming season, with returning players like Johnson set to take on larger roles on the team.
