LSU’s Van Lith Stars in New adidas Campaign
LSU women's basketball star Hailey Van Lith has a massive few weeks coming up with the NCAA Tournament ahead. LSU will look to repeat as National Champions, but must make it through a challenging bracket that includes Caitlin Clark and Iowa in addition to a stacked UCLA team.
As a star transfer for LSU, Van Lith is one of the top NIL earners in college sports, partnering with many of the top brands in the space including adidas, who she signed with a season ago.
Now, playing for a Nike-sponsored team in LSU, Van Lith can only appear in marketing outside of school logos and colors, but that hasn't stopped adidas from leveraging her to highlight a message bigger than just sports.
Entering March Madness, adidas released their latest commercial, a campaign around helping elite and grassroots athletes disarm pressure and return to the love and joy of sport.
“Throughout my journey with the sport, I never shied away from a challenge and that’s made me the competitor I am today,” Van Lith said. “Putting yourself in situations where you’re tested and proving that you can overcome internal or external pressure gives you confidence to play freely and lean into those competitive moments, like championship tournaments, with eagerness rather than fear. It's critical to remind yourself that you’ve navigated pressure before and just focus on being the player and teammate you know you can be.”
Van Lith is averaging 12.3 points and 3.7 assists, playing a massive role in the Tigers' success this season as defending champs. Now, as No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, LSU will take on Rice on Friday to being their March journey yet again.
