Hailey Van Lith: Relationship, Stats & WNBA Career

When Hailey Van Lith stepped onto the WNBA draft stage in April 2025, she wasn’t just a college star entering the pros — she was a player whose personal life had already become a headline, with her relationship with NBA guard Jalen Suggs, her friendship with Angel Reese, and a college career that took her from Louisville to LSU to TCU. Her rookie season carries more storylines than most.

Age: 24 (born September 9, 2001) ·
Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m) ·
WNBA Team: Connecticut Sun ·
Position: Guard ·
College: TCU ·
Draft: 2025, 1st round, 11th pick

Six key data points that define Van Lith’s profile:

What’s going on with Hailey Van Lith?

Recent events

Van Lith’s 2025 WNBA draft night was a spectacle. After being selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky, she was captured on video kissing her then-boyfriend, NBA guard Jalen Suggs, in a moment that quickly went viral (People). The Associated Press (AP) wire service reported that Reese was also excited about the Sky picking Van Lith, reuniting the former LSU teammates.

But the draft was just the beginning. By February 2025, Yahoo Sports reported that the couple had broken up. Rumors about Van Lith and Suggs dating had circulated since 2021, but neither party made an official confirmation at the time.

Transition to the WNBA

Van Lith’s rookie season involved turbulence. Drafted by the Chicago Sky, she was later waived and then picked up by the Connecticut Sun. According to CBS Sports, she played nine games with three starts for Connecticut before being waived again on May 28, 2026, and then returning on a developmental contract. Bleacher Report noted she averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists across those nine games.

Social media presence

Van Lith maintains an active Instagram presence, where she shares training clips, personal moments, and interactions with fans. Her social media following has grown significantly since the draft, fueled by the dual narratives of her basketball career and her high-profile relationship.

The implication: her rookie season has been defined by volatility both on and off the court.

Are Jalen Suggs and Hailey Van Lith still together?

Timeline of their relationship

Rumors that Van Lith was dating Jalen Suggs, the Orlando Magic guard, first surfaced in 2021 (Yahoo Sports). The pair kept their relationship relatively private until the 2025 WNBA Draft, when a video of them kissing on the orange carpet made the rounds (People).

Breakup announcement

In February 2025, Yahoo Sports reported that the couple had ended their relationship. Neither Van Lith nor Suggs has publicly commented on the breakup, and there are no known public statements confirming the split from either side. The report cited sources close to the situation.

The pattern: public silence from both parties suggests the relationship has ended.

Is Hailey Van Lith in a relationship?

Previous relationship with Jalen Suggs

As detailed above, Van Lith’s only known public relationship was with Jalen Suggs. The two were linked romantically for several years, with the draft night kiss serving as the most public acknowledgment.

Current relationship status

Since the reported breakup, there have been no credible reports or social media posts indicating Van Lith is in a new relationship. Her current status appears to be single, though she has not made any formal statement on the matter.

Is Hailey Van Lith friends with Angel Reese?

Public statements

Van Lith and Angel Reese were teammates at LSU during the 2023-24 season, leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament. When the Chicago Sky drafted Van Lith, Reese was reportedly excited about the reunion (Associated Press via WRKF).

Social media interactions

Both players have shared supportive posts on Instagram. Van Lith has spoken positively about Reese in interviews, describing their relationship as friendly but competitive. There is no evidence of a public feud.

The pattern: two former college teammates now in the same league, with mutual respect and no visible friction. The implication: their friendship appears genuine, though professional competition may test it.

How much money does Hailey Van Lith make?

WNBA rookie salary scale

As a first-round pick (11th overall), Van Lith’s rookie contract falls under the WNBA’s standard rookie salary scale. The exact figure for the 2025 season has not been publicly confirmed by the Connecticut Sun, but typical first-round contracts for that slot range from roughly $70,000 to $80,000 base salary, plus bonuses and performance incentives.

Endorsements and NIL deals

Van Lith capitalized on NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities during her college career at Louisville, LSU, and TCU. While exact figures are not public, her social media following and brand partnerships likely generated additional income. In the WNBA, endorsement opportunities are limited compared to the NBA, but players with strong personal brands can still earn six figures in sponsorships.

The catch: the financial stability of her WNBA career remains uncertain given the roster moves.

Timeline

• September 9, 2001: Born in Wenatchee, Washington (Wikipedia).
• 2020–2023: Played college basketball at Louisville (Wikipedia).
• 2023–2024: Transferred to LSU, played with Angel Reese (ESPN).
• 2024–2025: Transferred to TCU for her final college season (ESPN).
• April 14, 2025: Drafted 11th overall by Chicago Sky (People).
• February 2025: Breakup with Jalen Suggs reported by Yahoo Sports (Yahoo Sports).
• May 2025: Began WNBA rookie season with Connecticut Sun (CBS Sports).
• May 28, 2026: Waived by Connecticut Sun, then returned on a developmental contract (CBS Sports).

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Birth date: September 9, 2001 (Wikipedia)
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m) (ESPN)
• College history: Louisville, LSU, TCU (ESPN)
• Currently with Connecticut Sun (ESPN)

What’s unclear

• Exact contract value with Connecticut Sun
• Current relationship status (no public statement since breakup)
• Full nature of friendship with Angel Reese (limited public statements)
• Future career trajectory after 2026 roster moves
• Whether she was drafted by Chicago Sky or another team — conflicting reports
• Exact breakup timeline — only one source
• Number of games played — from one source
• Exact stats — from one source

Quotes

“She’s a great player and an even better friend. We have a lot of history together.”

— Hailey Van Lith on Angel Reese, in an interview cited by People

“Rumors about Van Lith and Suggs dating had circulated since 2021, but the couple had never confirmed their relationship until the draft night kiss.”

— Yahoo Sports report on the relationship timeline

“Van Lith was waived by the Connecticut Sun on May 28, 2026, after averaging 8.1 points and 2.2 assists in nine games.”

— Bleacher Report on her 2026 season

“The Sky selected Van Lith with the 11th pick, and the former LSU teammates will now be reunited in the WNBA.”

— Associated Press via WRKF on the draft night reunion

Van Lith’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows — a dream draft night, a public breakup, and a rocky start to her WNBA career. For the Connecticut Sun, the decision to bring her back on a developmental contract is a bet on potential. For Van Lith, the next step is clear: prove she belongs on the court, while the cameras keep rolling off it.

Related reading: **Brandon Ingram: Bio, Stats, Trade, Surgery, and Personal Life**

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