Latest news with #HaileyVanLith
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Transfers are common across college sports. Athletes see irony in being criticized as disloyal
Hailey Van Lith was one year away from tying a bow on a traditional college career at Louisville and being cemented as one of the most decorated four-year starters in Cardinals history. She had just led her team to its third straight Elite Eight appearance and put up career-high numbers, including 19.7 points per game. But the rising senior from Wenatchee, Washington, had other plans. With WNBA aspirations on her mind, Van Lith swapped Louisville red for LSU purple and gold and embarked on a new journey in Baton Rouge. Her lone season included another run to the Elite Eight and it was back to the transfer portal. Coach Mark Campbell's pro-style offense caught her eye, and she decided her fifth and final year of eligibility would be spent at TCU. College sports was once rooted in tradition, school pride and loyalty, but those expectations are changing if not fading in a landscape where athletes have won the ability to transfer season to season, year to year. Some are painted as disloyal or selfish but Van Lith and others don't see it that way. 'Whenever you transfer, you always expect pushback,' Van Lith told The Associated Press. 'I can't tell you how many podcasts I've seen on people discussing my choices to go to this school and that school, and the theories that are thrown out there are all wrong. But it's just, you learn to live in harmony with that, and at the end of the day, I just decided I'm no longer going to let false assumptions disrupt my peace.' One of the biggest misconceptions, Van Lith said, is that her transfer decisions were guided by NIL compensation. She was able to look past accusations of being a 'money chaser' or a 'trophy chaser' and find solace knowing onlookers didn't have the full picture. 'Multiple of the schools that I went to, I actually never got a check from," she said. "I think that in transfer culture now, a lot of people automatically assume that it has to do with the collective money or now I guess it's revenue share. But it just depends on the person, and for me, it was all basketball decisions.' A level playing field Ann Skeet, senior director of Leadership Ethics at Santa Clara's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said all parties should be held to the same standards. Coaches and athletic directors take new jobs, navigating buyouts and ill will along the way. 'I do think one of the realities of sport in this day and age is that people are making changes more often than they used to,' Skeet said. 'How they communicate what their decision is, how much time they give people, how frequently they're changing teams, all of those things should be considered, and I think it's fair to hold the coaches and players to equal standards.' Skeet acknowledged the pressure on athletes navigating a new, professional-like industry at a young age. Millions of dollars in name, image and likeness compensation is already flowing even before schools start cutting checks after July 1 under the NCAA antitrust settlement. 'The reality is, NIL is bringing market pressures to college sports in a way that we haven't experienced before, and so players are having to trade off and think about what serves their own personal interests vs. what serves the team interests in ways that they haven't had to consider in the past," she said. Complicated decisions While Van Lith was deciding her future, running back Ray Davis was awaiting his. In his sole season at Kentucky, Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on 199 carries and led the SEC with 21 touchdowns from scrimmage. His production was enough to garner interest from NFL scouts. Similar to Van Lith, Davis's winding road to the pros involved several stops. Before Kentucky, he had two-year stints at Temple (2019-2021) and Vanderbilt (2021-2023). Transferring to Kentucky meant Davis would suit up for his third team in five years, and he knew moving from one SEC school to the next could stir the pot. The decision wasn't an easy one. 'It was super difficult,' Davis said. 'It took days, literally almost weeks to just really make a decision. And when I made the decision, I just had to live with it. I couldn't think twice about it. I had to be confident.' The move paid off. Davis gained national attention and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. But while his draft stock soared, the backlash from transferring a second time took a toll. 'Mentally it sucks because, you know, as a kid when you're 18, 19 or whatever, you're being told, 'Hey he's leaving because he's disloyal,' and that's not what it is,' Davis said. He focused on what he could control. 'I think it's really about how you handle it yourself, how you internalize it yourself, and how you go about walking in the building each and every day. If you be like, `Ah, people are looking at me like I'm not an honest and disloyal person,' then that's going to hurt you mentally. But if you walk into a place where you're confident in who you are, then I think you'll succeed,' Davis told AP. The impacts Transfer decisions, regardless of the underlying factor, can lead to unfavorable public perceptions — or worse. A 2024 study found a cross-section of abusive content directed toward college athletes on social media. 'It certainly is their right to transfer, but then they will also develop whatever reputation they develop as a result of the choices they make. So people who transfer multiple times are going to be identified in that way,' Skeet said. 'It goes with the territory, as they say.' Both Van Lith and Davis noted the irony in receiving blowback when team personnel can seek new ventures without repercussions. 'Coaches leave. Directors leave. Everybody has the opportunity to leave. So for players, we've got to have that opportunity too,' Davis said. Added Van Lith: 'A lot of times, the loyalty is placed on the responsibility of the players, but you see coaches leave all the time to better their financial situation, to make more money, to do better for their family. When people talk about loyalty, I really challenge them to put into perspective, if they would feel the same if a coach left.' ___
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Transfers are common across college sports. Athletes see irony in being criticized as disloyal
Hailey Van Lith was one year away from tying a bow on a traditional college career at Louisville and being cemented as one of the most decorated four-year starters in Cardinals history. She had just led her team to its third straight Elite Eight appearance and put up career-high numbers, including 19.7 points per game. But the rising senior from Wenatchee, Washington, had other plans. With WNBA aspirations on her mind, Van Lith swapped Louisville red for LSU purple and gold and embarked on a new journey in Baton Rouge. Her lone season included another run to the Elite Eight and it was back to the transfer portal. Coach Mark Campbell's pro-style offense caught her eye, and she decided her fifth and final year of eligibility would be spent at TCU. College sports was once rooted in tradition, school pride and loyalty, but those expectations are changing if not fading in a landscape where athletes have won the ability to transfer season to season, year to year. Some are painted as disloyal or selfish but Van Lith and others don't see it that way. 'Whenever you transfer, you always expect pushback,' Van Lith told The Associated Press. 'I can't tell you how many podcasts I've seen on people discussing my choices to go to this school and that school, and the theories that are thrown out there are all wrong. But it's just, you learn to live in harmony with that, and at the end of the day, I just decided I'm no longer going to let false assumptions disrupt my peace.' One of the biggest misconceptions, Van Lith said, is that her transfer decisions were guided by NIL compensation. She was able to look past accusations of being a 'money chaser' or a 'trophy chaser' and find solace knowing onlookers didn't have the full picture. 'Multiple of the schools that I went to, I actually never got a check from,' she said. 'I think that in transfer culture now, a lot of people automatically assume that it has to do with the collective money or now I guess it's revenue share. But it just depends on the person, and for me, it was all basketball decisions.' A level playing field Ann Skeet, senior director of Leadership Ethics at Santa Clara's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said all parties should be held to the same standards. Coaches and athletic directors take new jobs, navigating buyouts and ill will along the way. 'I do think one of the realities of sport in this day and age is that people are making changes more often than they used to,' Skeet said. 'How they communicate what their decision is, how much time they give people, how frequently they're changing teams, all of those things should be considered, and I think it's fair to hold the coaches and players to equal standards.' Skeet acknowledged the pressure on athletes navigating a new, professional-like industry at a young age. Millions of dollars in name, image and likeness compensation is already flowing even before schools start cutting checks after July 1 under the NCAA antitrust settlement. 'The reality is, NIL is bringing market pressures to college sports in a way that we haven't experienced before, and so players are having to trade off and think about what serves their own personal interests vs. what serves the team interests in ways that they haven't had to consider in the past,' she said. Complicated decisions While Van Lith was deciding her future, running back Ray Davis was awaiting his. In his sole season at Kentucky, Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on 199 carries and led the SEC with 21 touchdowns from scrimmage. His production was enough to garner interest from NFL scouts. Similar to Van Lith, Davis's winding road to the pros involved several stops. Before Kentucky, he had two-year stints at Temple (2019-2021) and Vanderbilt (2021-2023). Transferring to Kentucky meant Davis would suit up for his third team in five years, and he knew moving from one SEC school to the next could stir the pot. The decision wasn't an easy one. 'It was super difficult,' Davis said. 'It took days, literally almost weeks to just really make a decision. And when I made the decision, I just had to live with it. I couldn't think twice about it. I had to be confident.' The move paid off. Davis gained national attention and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. But while his draft stock soared, the backlash from transferring a second time took a toll. 'Mentally it sucks because, you know, as a kid when you're 18, 19 or whatever, you're being told, 'Hey he's leaving because he's disloyal,' and that's not what it is,' Davis said. He focused on what he could control. 'I think it's really about how you handle it yourself, how you internalize it yourself, and how you go about walking in the building each and every day. If you be like, `Ah, people are looking at me like I'm not an honest and disloyal person,' then that's going to hurt you mentally. But if you walk into a place where you're confident in who you are, then I think you'll succeed,' Davis told AP. The impacts Transfer decisions, regardless of the underlying factor, can lead to unfavorable public perceptions — or worse. A 2024 study found a cross-section of abusive content directed toward college athletes on social media. 'It certainly is their right to transfer, but then they will also develop whatever reputation they develop as a result of the choices they make. So people who transfer multiple times are going to be identified in that way,' Skeet said. 'It goes with the territory, as they say.' Both Van Lith and Davis noted the irony in receiving blowback when team personnel can seek new ventures without repercussions. 'Coaches leave. Directors leave. Everybody has the opportunity to leave. So for players, we've got to have that opportunity too,' Davis said. Added Van Lith: 'A lot of times, the loyalty is placed on the responsibility of the players, but you see coaches leave all the time to better their financial situation, to make more money, to do better for their family. When people talk about loyalty, I really challenge them to put into perspective, if they would feel the same if a coach left.' ___ AP college sports:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hailey Van Lith Sounds Off on Career Performance in Sky-Sun Game
Hailey Van Lith Sounds Off on Career Performance in Sky-Sun Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While it was Angel Reese who drew all the attention in the Chicago Sky's 78-66 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday--and rightfully so--rookie Hailey Van Lith also turned in an incredible performance in the victory. Advertisement Reese logged her first career triple-double in this one, which was the key to Chicago's first win in four games. Van Lith, however, chipped in with a career-high 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, five rebounds, an assist, a block and one three-pointer in 25 minutes off the bench. Van Lith spoke to reporters after the game, and the 5-foot-9 guard revealed her mindset during her big night. 'I felt like if I could just carry over a calm state of mind where I'm literally just playing instinctually, that was my goal today,' Van Lith said, via Ben Pickman of The Athletic. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) shoots the Butler II-Imagn Images Van Lith, Chicago's 11th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, hasn't exactly had a mind-blowing start to her WNBA career. In eight games played this season, the former TCU star has averaged 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.4 minutes off the bench. Advertisement However, as she said, Van Lith has remained patient and has kept herself ready, knowing full well that her moment would come. This was the case on Sunday, with the rookie stepping up to the plate in a major way when her number was called. The minutes in Chicago's backcourt have opened up significantly since the season-ending injury of starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot, and Van Lith's performance on Sunday might have just earned her a bigger role in head coach Tyler Marsh's rotation. Related: WNBA Makes Angel Reese Announcement After Chicago Sky Star's Historic Game Related: Former Chicago Sky Star Leaves No Doubt on Her Opinion of Caitlin Clark This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hailey Van Lith Makes Request After Eight Chicago Sky Games
Hailey Van Lith Makes Request After Eight Chicago Sky Games originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky are riding high after a statement win against the Connecticut Sun, and they'll look to build on that momentum when they take on the Washington Mystics at home on Tuesday. Sunday's 78-66 victory—anchored by Angel Reese's first WNBA triple-double—was huge for a Sky team desperate to turn their season around. Advertisement Reese starred with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, dominating both ends of the floor. But it was rookie guard Hailey Van Lith who wowed fans off the bench, pouring in a career-high 16 points across just 24 minutes, hitting clutch shots and sparking a key fourth-quarter run that put the game away. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images For Van Lith, this was her eighth appearance in Chicago's first 10 games. An ankle injury cost her two games, and she has seen sporadic minutes when available. That said, she made a strong bid for a bigger role with this latest showing. Riding off that performance, Van Lith made a request to fans before Tuesday's game against the Mystics. Advertisement 'Sky Town, see you Tuesday. Come out, we need y'all," she stated. "We're pumped. We're coming off a win, so we need y'all to have that energy. Love you guys.' Chicago is heading home after a three-game road trip, hence Van Lith's request for fans to come out and support. Following a slow start to her professional career, Van Lith has quickly made her mark since being selected 11th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. A standout at Louisville, LSU, and TCU—where she averaged 11.6 points and 3.6 assists as a senior en route to her team's Elite 8 appearance—Van Lith is now translating her abilities to the pro level. Advertisement Related: Angel Reese Facing Punishment After Chicago Sky Game on Sunday Related: Angel Reese Ties Caitlin Clark After First WNBA Triple-Double This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hailey Van Lith Reacts to Chicago Sky's Decision for Her
Hailey Van Lith Reacts to Chicago Sky's Decision for Her originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky moved to 3-7 during the 2025 WNBA season with a 78 to 66 win against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The victory also snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the Sky their first win in the Commissioner's Cup. Advertisement Angel Reese made history against the Sun by recording her first career triple-double, becoming just the second player in the WNBA to do so this season (via Yahoo Sports). Rookie guard Hailey Van Lith also had her best WNBA performance yet, as she recorded a career-high 16 points and a career-best five rebounds. Her 24 minutes were also the second-most she has played in a single game this season. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2).David Butler II-Imagn Images Van Lith had only been averaging 3.7 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest during the 2025 WNBA season prior to Sunday's win against Connecticut. Her career highs were seven points and four rebounds, which came in different games, until she exceeded those against the Sun. Advertisement After the win, the rookie detailed a slight change that the Chicago coaching staff made for her before the contest. Van Lith talked at length about how the Sky decided to transition her more toward being a point guard rather than a shooting guard. 'I actually am not naturally a two anymore, I'm more naturally a one at this point,' Van Lith said. 'The reason that we have tried to do it, just talking with the coaching staff, is they're trying to get me more opportunities off the triple threat catch instead of always having a live dribble.' Van Lith is now averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest through the first eight games of her WNBA career (via Pro Basketball Reference). Advertisement With 15-year veteran Courtney Vandersloot sidelined for the season with a knee injury, the No. 11 overall pick may find herself in an expanded role. Chicago is back in action on Tuesday evening when they host the 4-7 Washington Mystics for the last game of the Commissioner's Cup. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Related: Chicago Sky Coach Makes Hailey Van Lith Statement After Sun Game Related: Satou Sabally's 1-Word Angel Reese Message Catches Attention This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
