Hailey Van Lith-Angel Reese relationship, explained: Former LSU teammates set to reunite on Chicago Sky after WNBA Draft

Daniel Chavkin

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Hailey Van Lith-Angel Reese relationship, explained: Former LSU teammates set to reunite on Chicago Sky after WNBA Draft image

Hailey Van Lith is headed to the WNBA.

After five years in college, the former Louisville, LSU, and TCU guard was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the 11th pick of the 2025 WNBA draft. The move reunites Van Lith with Sky star Angel Reese, with whom she played for one season at LSU.

While that season at LSU didn't end as expected, with the Tigers failing to defend their national championship in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the two still had a strong season together. Reese wasted no time in welcoming her new teammate to Chicago.

In return, Van Lith praised Reese and called her a "dawg" ahead of their reunion.

As Reese and Van Lith team up together in the WNBA, here's a look back at their history thus far.

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Angel Reese-Hailey Van Lith relationship

After LSU beat Iowa in the 2023 national championship, the Tigers successfully recruited Van Lith to transfer from Louisville to LSU for the 2023-24 season.

Although Reese had another strong season, Van Lith's numbers took a dip as she went from being the best player at Louisville to more of a role player in Baton Rouge. However, LSU still went 31-6 that year, the second straight season that the Tigers won at least 30 games.

During the NCAA Tournament, LSU lost to Iowa in what would become Reese's final collegiate game. While Reese headed to the WNBA, joining the Sky, Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final year of eligibility.

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Hailey Van Lith-Caitlin Clark rivalry

With Van Lith joining the Sky, the rivalry between Chicago and the Indiana Fever will only intensify. Van Lith and Fever star Caitlin Clark have their own history, as Clark's Iowa team ended Van Lith's season in back-to-back years, first with Louisville in 2023 and then with LSU in 2024.

It was against Louisville when Clark did the "you can't see me" hand gesture, which many people thought was aimed at Van Lith.

Of course, Reese and Clark have their heated rivalry dating back to the 2023 national championship game when LSU beat Iowa in the title game, in which Reese did "you can't see me" right back at Clark.

Now, Van Lith and Reese will team up to try and avenge their final LSU loss.

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.