Chicago Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith is trending on social media this weekend because of something she didn’t even do.

The Sky selected Van Lith with the No. 11 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft. She helped out her stock tremendously by averaging 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game at TCU. Not only was she named Big 12 Player of the Year, she took the program to the Elite Eight.

Van Lith is still trying to figure out her role in Chicago, but that hasn’t stopped her from making an impact. The TCU product is currently averaging 5.2 points and 1.3 assists per game for the Sky.

Despite getting off to a respectable start this season, Van Lith has been publicly called out by a five-time WNBA All-Star.

During an appearance on the “Let Her Shoot” podcast, Angel McCoughtry questioned if Van Lith is in the WNBA because of her social media following.

“Hailey Van Lith, she’s a decent player,” McCoughtry said, via Sporting News. “Are there players out there who may be better than Hailey Van Lith? I believe so. They’re not popular… If Hailey Van Lith had 10,000 followers, would she be in the league? Just her true talent, take away the followers.”

May 6, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) warms up before a WNBA game against the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

It didn’t take long for WNBA fans to rip McCoughtry for this message.

“That’s so nasty man,” one fan said. “HVL had a successful college career and lead TCU to an elite 8 in the ‘25 NCAA tourney after they were a 2nd round exit in the WBIT the szn prior. It’s normal for rookies to struggle, most take an adjustment period. Sucks to see old ppl be so hateful.”

“The way the WNBA media covers their league is so toxic,” a second fan wrote.

“It’s fair to ponder Hailey Van Lith’s upside as a player. It’s also reasonable to debate her fit with the Chicago Sky. But to suggest she would not be qualified to be in the WNBA if she didn’t have a large social media following is…an asinine stretch of a take,” another fan replied.

“This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” a fourth person commented.

Van Lith has not responded to McCoughtry’s claim. At this point, she wouldn’t gain anything from it.

Fans will get to see Van Lith in action this Saturday against the Phoenix Mercury.