Former LSU point guard Hailey Van Lith has made a decision about where she will continue her college basketball career. The 22-year-old guard is reportedly transferring to TCU, according to Talia Goodman of The Next. Van Lith had spent just one season at LSU before entering the transfer portal on April 4 following the team’s loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight. She originally played the first three years of her college career at Louisville before joining LSU in April 2023 after the Tigers’ national championship win. She has one year of eligibility remaining.
During her time at LSU, Van Lith experienced some ups and downs on the court. Her shooting percentage decreased from .411 in her junior year to .388 this past season, and she saw a drop in her scoring average from 19.7 points per game to 11.6. This decline in performance could be attributed to her transition to playing as a starting point guard at LSU, a position that was new to her and required an adjustment period.
Although Van Lith has not publicly commented on her decision to transfer, her former coach at LSU, Kim Mulkey, provided some insight into her thought process. Mulkey mentioned that Van Lith had aspirations of being drafted and realized that she needed another year to hone her skills. The coach also emphasized that Van Lith sought to challenge herself by expanding her skill set at LSU, specifically focusing on learning to play as a starting point guard.
Mulkey praised Van Lith’s work ethic and dedication to improving her game, confirming that she is one of the hardest-working players she has ever coached. Despite her decision to transfer, Mulkey expressed support for Van Lith and acknowledged her commitment to becoming a versatile player capable of handling various roles on the court.