Paige Bueckers going first overall to the Dallas Wings was the major headline of the 2025 WNBA Draft. But for Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, the night was also about watching former teammates take their next step in the professional league.
One of them was Hailey Van Lith, who played alongside Reese at LSU during the 2023–24 season. The pair helped the Tigers to a 31–6 record and a trip to the Elite Eight before Van Lith transferred to TCU.
The Chicago Sky selected Van Lith with the No. 11 pick, setting up a reunion with Reese just one year after their shared season in Baton Rouge. The Sky posted a celebratory message, writing: “HAILEY YOU ARE NOW A CHICAGO SKY”, while also posting a picture of Reese and Van Lith together.
Reese reacted to the news shortly after with three words that showed her excitement: “Let’s run it backkkkk.” While reposting the team’s announcement, she clairified that “We ain’t do it right the first time” The move adds depth to Chicago’s backcourt and familiarity for Reese heading into her second WNBA season.
Both players were part of an LSU roster that opened the 2023–24 campaign ranked No. 1. Now, they’ll look to carry that experience into the pros as teammates once again.
Chicago Sky’s picks during the WNBA Draft
Alongside selecting Hailey Van Lith at No. 11, the Chicago Sky rounded out their 2025 WNBA Draft picks with three additional additions. They chose Ajsa Sivka at No. 10, a forward with international experience; Maddy Westbeld at No. 16, a versatile player out of Notre Dame; and Aicha Coulibaly at No. 22, a guard from Alabama known for her athleticism.
Reese on Aneesah Morrow’s selection by Connecticut
Angel Reese also celebrated Aneesah Morrow being drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the seventh overall pick. Morrow played her final college season at LSU, averaging 18.7 points per game and winning the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s top power forward.
“NEES WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE BABY! So proud of you my hearttttt,” Reese wrote on X. She added, “That #7 so lucky!”, a reference to both her and Morrow being selected at No. 7 in consecutive drafts.