Angel Reese made opinion on Hailey van Lith clear as former LSU teammate proves point

Hailey van Lith made her debut for TCU this week after transferring from LSU in what will be her last year of collegiate basketball before joining Angel Reese in the WNBA in 2025

Angel Reese publicly shared her support for former teammate Hailey van Lith and has high expectations of her after she chose to transfer away from LSU. Van Lith made an impressive debut for her new team, starring for TCU this week after Reese discussed her situation during the off-season.

In her first game with the Horned Frogs, Van Lith dropped 21 points as the go-to player on the offense. She thrived in a role she had not been given with LSU last year before choosing to move on.

Van Lith played alongside Reese in one of the strongest teams in college basketball in 2024, with the latter admitting that Van Lith struggled to fit in with her teammates as Reese described her as distant from the rest of the team. Despite that, Reese made an effort with Van Lith throughout the season and spoke highly of her – with the point guard now hoping for a breakout season before moving on to the WNBA.

 

Van Lith led TCU to a dominate win over Houston Baptist, with her teammates leaning on her throughout the game and the offense running through the 23-year-old. Her choice to leave LSU was one that raised eyebrows, especially with the school also losing Reese to the WNBA with hopes that she would become the leader – but it already looks to be a smart move – with Reese herself excited to see her play with TCU.

Taking to Instagram, the Chicago Sky forward commented, “She’s backkkkkk” under her ex-teammates’ post showcasing her preseason pictures.

After transferring to LSU from Louisville after the 2023 season, Van Lith had struggled to reach the heights she had in her previous two years – with Reese stating that she made a conscience effort to make her feel welcome despite her not being close with her new teammates.

Reese and Van Lith were teammates at LSU ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Reese said: “We weren’t super close, but I was one of the people closer to her on the team. She was really distant from everybody else, so I felt bad. I was like, ‘Let me get close to her and see who she is’ because she was the only white girl on the team, so I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

“I wanted her to feel as comfortable as she could coming into a situation where she had a transfer. She was super successful at Louisville, but for a little while, she struggled with confidence in the beginning. Just being able to be there for her. I love Hailey.

“I wish we had some more time together. We still text. I still congratulate her and am so happy for her at TCU. I also try to support her there, but she works hard, and I admire her work ethic. Unfortunately, the situation didn’t work out for her LSU.

“She doesn’t have social media. She didn’t have social media when they were dogging her out after the Iowa game, and being able to see how strong she was through it and being able to talk to her because I’ve been through it. I know how it feels not to be confident and everybody attacking you for something that you can but somewhat can’t control. So, I’m excited for her next journey.”