Kim Mulkey revealed why Hailey Van Lith left LSU last season

For the past couple of years, Hailey Van Lith was one of the most accomplished players in women’s college basketball. From her success with Team USA to her play on the court, she was a bona fide star.

Unfortunately, she struggled mightily in the NCAA Tournament, and she was on the wrong end of one of Caitlin Clark’s most epic performances in his collegiate career.

Van Lith eventually opted to transfer out of LSU and play for the TCU Horned Frogs instead. As shocking as that was, coach Kim Mulkey knew she needed a change of scenery.

Kim Mulkey revealed Hailey Van Lith needed to relax

“Her (Hailey Van Lith) aspirations were to get drafted this year,” Mulkey said. “And she realized, ‘I need another year, and I need to go back to a place where I can relax and get back to my normal position.’ And what do you do? You hug her, and you wish her well. She wanted to improve her strengths by coming to LSU with a goal of expanding her game by learning a position that I played my entire life. Because she knows at the next level that’s her only chance – to be able to tell them somewhat, ‘I can handle the ball if you need me to.’”

Haley Van Lith

Eventually, it turned out to be the best decision for Van Lith, who had a record-breaking season for the Horned Frogs and led the program deep into the tournament.

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Now, she’s reunited with former LSU teammate Angel Reese, this time in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky, so leaving Bayou clearly worked out perfectly for her.