Hailey Van Lith had a difficult night in the Elite Eight matchup between LSU and Iowa, with Iowa’s Caitlin Clark dropping 41 points and carrying her team to the Final Four. This performance seemed to highlight Van Lith’s struggles in her first season with LSU, with a drop in scoring and minutes compared to her time at Louisville. Despite battling an illness during the game, Van Lith could do little to stop Clark’s offensive onslaught, leading to a disappointing end to her season.
After the loss to Iowa, Van Lith had until Wednesday to declare for the WNBA Draft, but she did not do so, leaving her future plans uncertain. Despite the challenges she faced during her time at LSU, head coach Kim Mulkey expressed pride in coaching Van Lith and praised her decision to leave her comfort zone at Louisville to join the Tigers. With Angel Reese also declaring for the draft, LSU will be without two of their key players for the next season, adding further challenges for the team moving forward.
Van Lith’s decision to enter the transfer portal for the second time in her college career indicates a desire for a fresh start or a new opportunity to showcase her talents. Her experience at LSU may not have lived up to expectations, but she has one more year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, giving her options for the future. Despite the dip in her numbers this season, Van Lith still sees herself as a “pro-type player” and may be considering her next steps carefully before making a decision on her future.
The tough challenge of guarding a player like Caitlin Clark in a high-stakes game like the Elite Eight showcased the difficulties Van Lith faced in her first season with LSU. Clark’s stellar performance and LSU’s loss to Iowa highlighted the team’s struggles and the need for improvement in the upcoming seasons. With key players like Van Lith and Reese leaving the team, LSU will need to regroup and focus on developing new talent to fill the gaps left by their departures.
The contrast between Van Lith’s successful tenure at Louisville and her struggles at LSU raises questions about the impact of changing teams on a player’s performance and development. While Van Lith’s decision to join LSU may have been influenced by the team’s recent success and the opportunity to experience a championship run, the reality of her season with the Tigers may not have met her expectations. With uncertainties about her future and the challenges ahead for LSU, Van Lith’s next steps will be crucial in determining her path in college basketball.
Overall, Hailey Van Lith’s experience in the Elite Eight game against Iowa and her decision to enter the transfer portal highlight the ups and downs of collegiate athletics. As she navigates her options for the future, Van Lith will need to consider her goals and aspirations in order to make a decision that best suits her career and ambitions. With the support of her coaches and teammates, Van Lith will have the opportunity to reflect on her time at LSU and make a choice that will set her on the path to success in the next chapter of her basketball journey.
