The highly anticipated 2025 WNBA Draft finally took place on Monday. Fans of the Chicago Sky hoped General Manager Jeff Pagliocca could gather the young core of talent that can help the side compete at a higher standard than in previous years. The Windy City franchise languished at the depths of the regular season standings in 2024, finishing in 10th place and tallying 13 wins.
Slovenian prospect Ajsa Sivka, Notre Dame's Maddy Westbeld and Texas A&M's Aicha Coulibaly were all selected by Chicago on draft night. Nevertheless, the acquisition of TCU guard Hailey Van Lith could prove to be their shrewdest pick as the Sky's front office looks to build around their sensational superstar, Angel Reese.
After returning from a successful Unrivaled campaign with Rose BC, the 2nd-year star will have a thirst for more championships after lifting the inaugural trophy. Could Reese's former LSU teammate be the guard she needs to take her game to the next level?
LSU struggles
A cynic would suggest the answer would be no.
When the pair was united in Reese's final college season, LSU fell in a 94-87 loss in the Elite Eight at the hands of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Van Lith registered her lowest scoring season since her freshman year during her time with the Tigers. She averaged just 11.6 points per game while shooting an inefficient 37.8% from the floor, a career-low for the star guard.
The point guard's struggles at LSU could be simplified down to the inability to adapt to a new playbook and adjust to playing with her now-Chicago teammate in Reese. However, the Big 12 Player of the Year registered a career-low usage rate, or "the percentage of team plays used by a player when they are on the floor," of just under 19%. Can Van Lith's resurgence be enough to accelerate Reese's pursuit of greatness?
"Lets run it back"
We ain’t do it right the first time. Let’s run it backkkkk🫣 https://t.co/8PXLsHkUyN
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 15, 2025
Skytown's newest recruit has exhibited all the attributes to effectively play with a physical forward and create a devastating partnership that could strike fear into the hearts of opposing franchises for years to come.
Van Lith took TCU's pick-and-roll game to another level last season. The Horned Frogs scored 0.952 points per possession when Van Lith ran the pick-and-roll, according to CBS Sports NBA Writer Jack Maloney. The figure would rank ninth among those who averaged 10 or more pick-and-roll possessions per game, he continued. The Sky can use the pick-and-roll to create scoring opportunities for Reese, as she primarily does her damage in the paint.
The Sky should be optimistic that Van Lith's improved vision and playmaking talent will easily translate to the professional game. It can provide The Chi Barbie with plenty of easy looks close to the basket as Van Lith posted a career-high tally of 5.4 assists per game in her fifth year.
It is not only the WNBA All-Star who can reap the benefits of being partnered with the dynamic guard but vice versa. Reese displayed a menacing figure in the battle of the boards and provided Chicago with many 2nd-chance opportunities. She snatched a league-leading 5.1 offensive rebounds per game. If the Sky's high-level rookie can improve her shooting from 3-point range, she will thrive in her relationship with Reese.
There is plenty of room for the Windy City fanbase to be excited by the potential of this exhilarating duo. If they can manufacture a formidable bond in the season's early stages, then supporters could see Reese take her game to a totally different stratosphere.