Hailey Van Lith Causes a Stir With Her Pregame Fashion Statement [PHOTO]
Hailey Van Lith is making the most of her fresh start with the Connecticut Sun, both on the court and during her pregame arrivals.
The former Chicago Sky guard attracted attention before Connecticut’s home game against the Seattle Storm when she walked into Mohegan Sun Arena wearing a bold outfit that appeared to reference the team’s previous result.
Van Lith arrived in a cropped white T-shirt featuring the words “I hate New York” across the front. The top exposed her midsection and was paired with blue jeans, an oversized brown faux-fur coat and white pointed-toe slingback heels.
She completed the look by carrying a burgundy woven leather handbag in her right hand.
The message on her shirt immediately stood out because Connecticut had just suffered a one-sided loss to New York. Wearing it before the next game gave the outfit the feel of a playful response, even though Van Lith did not provide a detailed explanation for the choice.
Her look quickly began drawing attention online, continuing a pattern that has developed since the start of the season.
Van Lith’s previous pregame outfit also went viral, and fans are now watching what she wears into the arena almost as closely as they follow her performances once the game begins.
The WNBA tunnel walk has become an important part of the league’s culture.
Players regularly use their arrival outfits to show their personalities, promote designers or send subtle messages before games. Some choose polished suits, while others prefer casual streetwear or more daring fashion choices.
Van Lith’s outfit combined several different elements.
The cropped T-shirt gave the look a relaxed feel, while the faux-fur coat, leather bag and white heels made it considerably more styled than ordinary jeans and a top.
The writing across her shirt provided the detail that made the outfit especially memorable.
Connecticut was preparing to face Seattle after a difficult game against New York, and Van Lith appeared ready to move on from the loss.
The meeting with the Storm turned out to be much closer than the previous result. For Van Lith, it also represented another opportunity to prove that joining the Sun could give her the playing time she struggled to secure in Chicago.
Van Lith Is Getting Another Opportunity In Connecticut
Van Lith entered the 2026 season looking for a new team after being released by the Sky.
WNBA organizations are allowed to bring as many as 18 players into training camp, but rosters must be reduced to 12 before the regular season begins. That limit leaves very little room for developing players, and several recognizable names were cut as teams finalized their lineups.
Van Lith was among them.
Chicago released her after only one season with the organization, bringing an unexpectedly early end to her time with the team.
The Connecticut Sun later signed her, giving the former college star a second chance to establish herself in the league.
Through her first two games with the Sun, Van Lith was already receiving more consistent minutes than she often had with Chicago.
She played 14 minutes in one appearance and 20 minutes in the next, showing that Connecticut was prepared to give her a real opportunity in the rotation.
Her early numbers reflected that increased role.
Van Lith averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 assists and 1.0 rebound per game during the opening stretch of the 2026 season.
The sample size was small, but the production represented a promising beginning for a player whose rookie year was spent largely coming off the bench.
Her Rookie Season Came With Limited Minutes
During the 2025 WNBA season, Van Lith appeared in 29 regular-season games for Chicago.
She averaged 12.4 minutes per appearance and was used primarily as a reserve. In that limited role, she produced 3.5 points and 1.6 assists per game.
Those numbers were modest, but Van Lith did not receive many opportunities to find a rhythm or play through mistakes.
Young guards often need time with the ball to become comfortable controlling a professional offense. Short appearances can make that difficult, particularly when a player is expected to create something immediately before returning to the bench.
Connecticut appears willing to take a longer look.
The additional minutes allow Van Lith to contribute as both a scorer and facilitator. Averaging four assists during her first two games suggested that she was not simply trying to force shots to prove herself.
She was also creating opportunities for teammates.
That could help her earn the trust of the coaching staff and maintain a place in the rotation as the season develops.
The New CBA Has Changed The WNBA Landscape
Van Lith’s move also came during the first season played under the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Higher salaries and increased spending power have given teams more flexibility when building their rosters. However, the 12-player regular-season limit still creates intense competition for every available position.
Being released does not necessarily mean a player lacks WNBA ability.
In many cases, teams are making decisions based on contracts, roster balance and the specific roles they need to fill. A player who does not fit one organization’s plans may be useful somewhere else.
Van Lith is attempting to prove exactly that.
Chicago decided to move forward without her, but Connecticut saw enough value to offer her another opportunity.
The early results have been encouraging.
She is scoring more, creating assists and spending longer stretches on the floor than she did during much of her rookie season.
The next challenge will be maintaining that production once opponents have more film of her role in Connecticut’s system.
Van Lith Is Making Sure People Notice Her
Even before she stepped onto the court against Seattle, Van Lith had already made herself part of the conversation.
Her “I hate New York” shirt was bold enough to attract attention, while the rest of the outfit showed how carefully WNBA players now approach pregame fashion.
The look was not accidental.
From the oversized coat to the woven handbag and pointed heels, every piece appeared chosen to create a specific image.
Van Lith has always carried a large public profile, dating back to her college career. Her team changes, playing time and social media presence continue to receive more attention than those of an ordinary reserve guard.
That level of scrutiny can create pressure, but it also gives her a platform.
A memorable outfit keeps her name circulating, while stronger performances give fans a reason to pay attention after the fashion photos have passed.
Connecticut offers her an opportunity to connect those two sides of her public image.
She can remain one of the league’s most closely watched personalities while proving that she deserves regular minutes on the court.
Two games are not enough to determine how her season will unfold, but Van Lith has already shown signs that she intends to take full advantage of her second chance.
She arrived in Connecticut after being cut by Chicago.
Now she is getting more minutes, producing better numbers and making sure nobody misses her when she walks into the arena.
