Hailey Van Lith Tells Us What Has Her Confident Heading into 2025 WNBA Draft

TCU standout Hailey Van Lith told Women's Fastbreak On SI how she is feeling heading into the 2025 WNBA draft.

TCU guard Hailey Van Lith (10) speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of the Regional Finals of the NCAA Women's Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, March 30, 2025. TCU will face the Texas Longhorns in the Elite Eight on Monday night. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hailey Van Lith is one of the most talked about names heading into the 2025 WNBA Draft, but her journey to this moment has been full of twists and turns, making it a true comeback tale.

From Fort Worth, TX to @TheShedNY🗽

Hailey Van Lith is officially invited to the 2025 #WNBADraft presented by @StateFarm.

📺 Tune in April 14 at 7:30pm/ET on ESPN to see where her next chapter begins! pic.twitter.com/mTgywStxGI

— WNBA (@WNBA) April 11, 2025

After bouncing between programs, including a tough stretch at LSU where doubts about her pro potential began to surface, Van Lith started slipping out of draft conversations altogether. But she found her footing at TCU, where her playmaking, grit and determination helped lead the Horned Frogs to a first-ever Elite Eight appearance, putting her back into the spotlight.

We caught up with Van Lith at an event celebrating her collaboration with JLab April 10, where they were announcing the newest additions to JLab’s audio product line firsthand, including the JBuds Pods, Go Pods, and Epic Open Sport earbuds.

When asked if she had any butterflies heading into Monday’s draft, given what a landmark moment it is in her career, she responded calling it a blessing, especially after all the hurdles she’s overcome. Van Lith shared that she’s looking forward to the day and feeling confident saying, “I’ve been playing at my peak.”

"I've been playing at my peak."

Hailey Van Lith

We couldn’t resist bringing up Diana Taurasi’s iconic “reality is coming” line aimed at the 2024 rookie class. When asked how she felt about that sentiment as she eyes heading into the league, Van Lith kept it honest, “I have no idea yet. There’s definitely a learning curve,” she said, before adding with a smile, “It could smack me in the face.”

"There's definitely a learning curve... It could smack me in the face."

Hailey Van Lith

The consensus about Van Lith’s draft projection is that she could go late in the first round or early in the second, with ESPN hearing chatter around the league leaning towards the latter.

While there is a lot of wiggle room for where she could land, one thing’s for sure—Van Lith is guaranteed to make a splash wherever she ends up.