Misryoum reports the Chicago Sky have waived Hailey Van Lith, ending a short WNBA rookie run despite early preseason promise.
A preseason scoring burst couldn’t secure Hailey Van Lith a spot with the Chicago Sky.
Chicago Sky have waived the former star point guard, a move announced by the team on Monday afternoon.. Van Lith was selected with the No.. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. and while she appeared across 29 games during her rookie season. she did not earn a regular rotation role.. Her early pro output sat at modest averages. but the waiver now signals that the team is pivoting away from that path.
This decision matters because it highlights how quickly the WNBA can turn on fit, development pace, and roster strategy, especially for young players still carving out their roles.
Misryoum notes that the timing of the waiver is particularly jarring for fans who had been watching the preseason closely.. In the Sky’s two preseason games. Van Lith featured prominently. including a standout preseason opener where she scored 20 points on an efficient night.. Across those contests, her production and playmaking looked more like what teams hope to see from a high draft pick.
In this context, the story becomes less about talent on a given night and more about what coaches need consistently across training camp and the opening stretch of the season.
So what does the roster picture look like now? The Chicago Sky have multiple veteran guards on hand, led by Skylar Diggins, and they also remain dealing with absences. Courtney Vandersloot is sidelined as she continues recovering from an ACL tear, while DiJonai Carrington is managing a foot injury.
With those circumstances in mind. the Sky roster still includes guards such as Jacy Sheldon. acquired via trade earlier this offseason. and Gabriela Jaquez. who was drafted fifth overall last month.. Even with preseason momentum behind Van Lith, the team’s current needs appear to have shifted toward other options.
The late change serves as a reminder that professional sports decisions are rarely linear, and that roster math can outweigh even the most encouraging early signs. For Misryoum readers following the Sky, the waiver is a clear signal to watch how the guard rotation takes shape next.