The Connecticut Sun have signed guard Hailey Van Lith to a developmental player contract after she was waived and then re-added under the league’s developmental roster rules, keeping her in Connecticut for what she called the best fit for her immediate develop
Connecticut’s roster shuffle had barely cooled before Hailey Van Lith was back in the building.
On Saturday, the Connecticut Sun announced the guard has signed a developmental player contract with the franchise. It’s the kind of move that can look routine on paper, but it follows a quick, emotionally loaded few days for a player who just needed stability to keep progressing.
Van Lith was waived by Connecticut on Thursday. the same day the team activated guard Leila Lacan after her return from overseas duties. Lacan had just helped Basket Landes win the 2026 French La Boulangere Wonderligue title. and she earned Finals MVP honors for that run. Two days later, the Sun brought Van Lith back under the league’s developmental roster rules.
Even with other options available, Van Lith made it clear what she wanted from the moment. “Staying in Connecticut right now is the best fit both for her immediate development and her long-term goals,” she said, with ESPN’s Alexa Philippou relaying her reasoning.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement. WNBA teams are allowed two developmental roster spots for players with fewer than four years of service. Those players can appear in a maximum of 12 games, or up to 25% of the regular season if the schedule expands. Their compensation is structured as a base salary calculated at $750 multiplied by the number of regular-season weeks, plus game bonuses.
For Van Lith. the path back to the Sun also reflects the learning curve she’s been navigating since entering the league. She was originally selected 11th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. During her rookie season. she played 29 games. averaging 3.5 points. 1.1 rebounds. and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game while dealing with an ankle injury. Her shooting numbers that season were 33.9% from the field and 16.1% from three-point range.
After being waived by the Sky on May 4. Van Lith was claimed by Connecticut two days later and immediately became part of the Sun rotation. This season. she has appeared in nine games and started three. averaging 8.1 points. 1.1 rebounds. and 2.2 assists in 17.6 minutes while shooting 49.2% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range.
Her best performance with Connecticut came on May 15 against the Las Vegas Aces. In that game, she recorded 17 points on 63.6% shooting and added four assists.
Now, with her developmental contract locked in, the Sun get another chance to develop a player who has already shown scoring pop and efficient shooting in her early stretch—while Van Lith gets the steady ground she says she needs, right in Connecticut.
Hailey Van Lith Connecticut Sun Leila Lacan developmental player contract WNBA Basket Landes French La Boulangere Wonderligue Finals MVP Las Vegas Aces