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7 months ago
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Hailey Van Lith has entered the transfer portal in another blow to LSU, just a day after her now-former teammate Angel Reese declared for the WNBA draft.
The 22-year-old guard, who only made her debut for the Lady Tigers in November after transferring over from Louisville, where she played for three seasons from 2020 to last year, saw her averages drop from 19.7 points, 3.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds in her final season with the Cardinals to 11.6 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds over her last 12 months at LSU.
What's more is that on Monday, Caitlin Clark - the NCAA women's all-time leading scorer - dropped 41 points and 12 assists in Iowa's 94-87 win in the Elite Eight of the March Madness tournament, while Van Lith was guarding her throughout the entire game.
Van Lith initially joined LSU - the reigning national champ - in April of last year. She was drawn to the school's support for the women's basketball team and the intensity of the team, and she had a relationship with head coach Kim Mulkey since high school.
'I hope it's not her last game, but if it is, I'm proud to have been her coach for a year,' Mulkey said of Van Lith after the Lady Tigers lost in Albany, earlier this week.
Hailey Van Lith, 22, has entered the transfer portal just a year after leaving Louisville for LSU
Van Lith's decision comes three days after she guarded Caitlin Clark, who had 41 points and 12 assists, in Iowa-LSU's Elite Eight matchup at the NCAA women's tournament
'Hailey Van Lith came to LSU after being an abundant shooter. Shot it a lot at Louisville. Had great success. Was on good teams ... For her to take that leap of faith and leave her comfort zone at Louisville, you don't see many players do that when she was that big a piece to their puzzle. She has embraced learning a new position, taking fewer shots.
'I am forever indebted to Haley and her unselfish play to come to LSU to play with a lot of great players and learn a new position.'
A return to Louisville has emerged as a possibility for Van Lith ahead of the transfer portal's deadline on May 1.
Van Lith played three seasons at Louisville and could return just a year after leaving the school
Off the court, Van Lith is dating Orlando Magic guard and former Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs
South Carolina, Stanford, Washington State, and Oregon State are other potential landing spots for the two-time, First-team All-ACC player, according to USA Today.
UConn, Southern California, Miami and Ohio State have also been tipped to add Van Lith to their rosters by Sporting News.
Off the court, Van Lith holds a degree in finance from her time enrolled at Louisville.
She is also dating current Orlando Magic point guard and former Gonzaga star, Jalen Suggs. The pair went public with their relationship last year.
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