Deep in my heart, I wanted to come to the Sky,” Hailey Van Lith said after she was picked by the Chicago Sky at No.11 in the draft. The post Sky’s Slump Has Chicago Regretting Hailey Van Lith Move as 2026 Pick Could End Up Being Lauren Betts or Flau'jae Johnson appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Chicago Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith had a disappointing start to her WNBA career after sustaining an ankle injury against the Liberty earlier this month.

Chicago Sky’s eleventh overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Hailey Van Lith, entered the league with high expectations after an outstanding final college season at TCU. However, her transition into the WNBA hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as anticipated.

Natasha Cloud (18 points, eight assists), Sabrina Ionescu (16 points, five assists) and Breanna Steward (12 points) thrived against the Sky, while Courtney Vandersloot led the way for Chicago with 14 points. Hailey Van Lith finished with four points off the bench.

The Chicago Sky hosted the Brazilian national team in a WNBA Preseason game in Baton Rouge. It was a homecoming for Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith.