The WNBA rollercoaster continues for Hailey Van Lith. The former TCU sensation and 2025 first-round pick has been waived for the second time in May, this time by the Connecticut Sun after just nine games into the 2026 season. It's a jarring turn for a player who showed real flashes of growth in her new uniform.
Van Lith, selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in last year's draft, began the month as a member of the Sky. But Chicago cut her loose just before opening night. The Sun scooped her up off waivers, and for a few weeks it looked like a fresh start. She averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists per game, a noticeable improvement over her rookie numbers of 3.5 points per contest. Yet on Thursday, Connecticut decided to move on, waiving Van Lith to free up a roster spot for Leila Lacan.
According to ESPN sources, the split was amicable. Van Lith reportedly expressed gratitude to the Sun organization for their transparency and the opportunity to play meaningful minutes. She remains motivated to build on the momentum she generated in Connecticut, even as she faces an uncertain immediate future.
Fans, however, are not taking the news quietly. Social media lit up with frustration over the decision. One fan wrote, “Connecticut waiving her like she isn’t one of the pieces on the floor keeping them from getting blown out every game.” Another asked, “This makes 0 sense to me? Why would they waive her?” A third summed up the sentiment: “I swear I’ll never understand business in the W smh. She’s definitely a hooper.”
The WNBA's roster mechanics can be unforgiving, especially for young players trying to establish themselves. Van Lith's situation echoes the recent Kysre Gondrezick platform controversy, highlighting how quickly fortunes can change in the league. For a player who was a household name in college — starring at TCU after stops at Louisville and LSU — the transition to the pros has been rocky.
Van Lith's college career was legendary. She led TCU to unprecedented success, earning All-American honors and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in women's basketball. That star power hasn't yet translated into WNBA stability. Now, she'll have to wait for another team to take a chance on her. Given her age, talent, and work ethic, it's likely only a matter of time before she gets another call.
For Connecticut, the move signals a shift in roster strategy. Lacan, a younger guard, brings a different skill set that the Sun's front office clearly values. But the decision to part with a player who was producing solid numbers — especially on a team that has struggled at times — raises questions about roster construction and player development. The Sun will need Lacan to contribute quickly to justify the move.
Van Lith's journey is a reminder that the path to WNBA success is rarely a straight line. Even players with her pedigree face setbacks. But if her college career taught us anything, it's that she has the resilience to bounce back. For now, she'll watch from home, hoping for another opportunity to prove she belongs.
