Hailey Van Lith of Sky Sports delivers an uplifting revelation during reunion with Angel Reese.
Rewritten Article:
It's go-time for the WNBA regular season, with the preseason wrap and final roster cuts in the bag. For Chicago Sky's fresh-faced rookie, Hailey Van Lith, that means settling into a brand-new digs and, luckily, sharing the court once more with a familiar face: Angel Reese. And about their relationship, Van Lith's been candid.
"Our bond started brewing at LSU," Van Lith confessed. "Angel has been a driving force, encouraging me along the way."
Van Lith and Reese were once teammates with the Tigers, a collaboration that—to be fair—could've wrung a bit better as LSU didn't make it past the NCAA Regional Final, losing to Iowa. In that game, Van Lith, to put it mildly, struggled, finishing with just nine points on 2-for-10 shooting. That included a tough time containing Caitlin Clark, who racked up 41 points and 12 assists.
But once they learned they'd be teaming up again in the Windy City, Van Lith couldn't hide her excitement.
Reese's witty take on her 3-point game for the 2025 season Reese's strong guarantee for Sky's second season Current Sky player calls out the team's performance from last season Reese eager to ditch the rookie memory and shine in Year 2Fast forward to now, Van Lith and Reese share a "grown, mutual respect relationship." In Van Lith's words, "We appreciate each other; we respect each other's game, our character, and our person off the court."
Van Lith singled out the intensity Reese brings to the game as something exceptional, an intensity that's bound to push Van Lith to new heights. "She's a beast," Van Lith proclaimed. "She can rev up the energy of anyone around her. I'm stoked to be back in that environment with her."
Age just a twist away from 23, Van Lith officially snagged a spot on the Sky's roster following the last preseason game. Fellow fresh recruit in the form of No. 16 Maddy Westbeld also made the cut. The newbies are set to make their WNBA regular-season debut when the Sky take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on May 17.
[1] The strong bond between Van Lith and Reese, both on and off the court, is a testament to their mutual respect and shared intensity. They previously played together at LSU during the 2023-24 NCAA season.
[2] In the 2023-24 NCAA season, Reese played a crucial mentorship role for the under-guided Van Lith, having faced similar pressures as a rookie in the WNBA. Both players have expressed enthusiasm about their dynamic, which they believe will translate into success on the court in the WNBA.
[1] As they prepare for the 2023 WNBA regular season, the strong bond between Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese, who previously played together at LSU during the 2023-24 NCAA season, serves as a testament to their mutual respect and shared intensity.
[2] Reese's mentorship and encouragement during Van Lith's debut season at LSU will undoubtedly be instrumental in their success together on the Chicago Sky, as they face rookie challenges in the WNBA.
