Ex-WNBA star critical of Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith, believes popularity played role in draft selection

Former WNBA prima Angel McCoughtry made captious remarks astir Chicago Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith implicit the erstwhile TCU women’s hoops player’s societal media following.

McCoughtry suggested successful a caller podcast interrogation that Van Lith whitethorn not person been looked astatine successful the WNBA if she didn’t person a large societal media following. Van Lith was 1 of the most-followed collegiate athletes connected societal media. She has 1.3 cardinal followers connected Instagram alone.

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FILE - Chicago Sky defender Hailey Van Lith (2) moves the shot down tribunal successful the 2nd fractional a WNBA accumulation hoops crippled against Brazil successful Baton Rouge, La., May 2, 2025.  (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

"If Hailey Van Lith had 10,000 followers, would she beryllium successful the league? Let maine inquire you that," McCoughtry said connected "The Daily W." "Honestly. We're conscionable talking astir her existent talent. Take distant her followers. Would she beryllium successful the league if she lone had 10,000 followers?"

"Hailey Van Lith, she's a decent player," McCoughtry added. "Are determination players retired determination who whitethorn beryllium amended than Hailey Van Lith? I judge so. They're not popular."

Van Lith was a coagulated defender for Louisville astatine the commencement of her collegiate career. She averaged 15.4 points and 2.5 assists with the Cardinals from 2020 to 2023. He transferred to LSU and played with Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow and transferred again to decorativeness her collegiate vocation with TCU, which she led to an NCAA tourney berth.

Sept. 23, 2013; Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Dream defender Angel McCoughtry (35) reacts to the play against the Washington Mystics during the 2nd fractional astatine Philips Arena. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

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As McCoughtry’s comments were dissected crossed societal media implicit the week, she apologized successful an Instagram Live league implicit the weekend.

"Just truthful y'all know, I cognize 1 happening I ain't is simply a hater. I ain't ne'er hated connected cipher and those words ain't ne'er travel retired my mouth," she said, via CBS Sports. "Now, My mistake I made was giving a constituent with the incorrect delivery. I shouldn't person utilized a definite subordinate to marque an illustration of a constituent I was trying to make. And I privation to apologize for that. 

"I tin instrumentality accountability erstwhile I'm incorrect y'all, truthful I'm going to apologize to Hailey for that. You worked hard for everything you've got, positive more. Plus more. And that's to each the players."

McCoughtry besides starred astatine Louisville earlier she was the No. 1 wide prime of the 2009 draught by the Atlanta Dream. She played 10 seasons with the Dream, 2 for the Las Vegas Aces and 1 much with the Minnesota Lynx. She was a five-time All-Star and the 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Hailey Van Lith poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert aft being selected with the number-eleven wide prime to the Chicago Sky successful the 2025 WNBA Draft astatine The Shed astatine Hudson Yards. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

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Van Lith has been constricted to a seat relation during her rookie play truthful far. She is averaging 5.1 points and 1.5 assists per crippled successful 10 games.

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