The Connecticut Sun have waived Hailey Van Lith as they clear up a roster spot for Leila Lacan. Lacan will soon make her season debut after winning a championship with Basket Landes, and being named Finals MVP.
Van Lith appeared in 9 games for the Sun, averaging 8.1 points in 17.6 minutes per game. She started 3 contests, shot 49.2% from the field, and 47.1% from three.
Van Lith was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2025 with the 11th overall pick. In her rookie season, she averaged 3.5 points in 12.4 minutes per game and was waived in training camp after a strong preseason. Almost immediately, she joined the Sun, where she got another crack at a permanent roster spot. In two Sun preseason games, she averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists, while shooting 71.4% from the floor.
Before the WNBA, Van Lith was a standout at Louisville for three years, and then spent a year at LSU and a year at TCU. She made the Elite 8 with all three programs, becoming the first NCAA athlete to do so.
Lacan should be an instant game-changer for the Sun. In her rookie season with Connecticut, she averaged 10.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 steals. Without her, they were 2-17 last season. With her in the lineup, the Sun were 9-12.
Van Lith, who has been waived twice in the last month, will look to continue her WNBA career elsewhere. She could also potentially be offered a developmental contract with the Sun.
ESPN’s Alexa Phillipou reported that Van Lith is grateful to the Sun for their transparency and the opportunity and remains motivated to carry forward the momentum from her time with the Sun.