The Chicago Sky have made a tough roster decision, waiving former college standout Hailey Van Lith just ahead of her second WNBA campaign. The move clears a spot for veteran guard Natasha Cloud, whom the team signed on Monday.
Van Lith, selected 11th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was a high-profile name coming out of college after standout stints at Louisville, LSU, and TCU. She averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds during the preseason, but the Sky opted to go with Cloud's experience instead.
"thank you, Hailey. wishing you nothing but the best ahead," the Sky posted on social media Monday, confirming the roster shakeup.
Cloud, 34, spent last season with the New York Liberty, where she put up 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. She went unsigned for much of the offseason before the Sky brought her in to shore up their backcourt depth.
For Van Lith, this is a major early-career setback. It's rare for a top draft pick to be waived after just one season, but with only 12 teams in the WNBA, competition for roster spots is fierce. As a rookie, she averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 assists over 12.4 minutes per contest.
At 24, Van Lith still has time to bounce back. Her strong preseason numbers should attract interest from teams looking to buy low on a player with her pedigree. The regular season hasn't started yet, so there's a window for her to latch on elsewhere.
This isn't the first time Van Lith has made headlines off the court. A recent SI Swimsuit photo shoot sparked plenty of buzz among WNBA fans, showing her personality beyond basketball. But now the focus shifts back to finding a new home in the league.
The Sky are banking on Cloud's leadership and playoff experience to stabilize their guard rotation. For Van Lith, the road ahead is uncertain but far from over. She'll be hoping another team gives her a second chance to prove she belongs.
