Hailey Van Lith hasn’t had the rookie season many expected. The Chicago Sky guard entered the league with plenty of hype, but with her team out of playoff contention and her minutes limited, her debut year hasn’t produced many highlight moments.
That changed-not on the court, but off it-when Van Lith showed up before a recent game looking almost unrecognizable.
The 2025 No. 11 overall pick swapped her trademark blonde hair for a fiery red, debuting the look ahead of the Sky’s August 23 matchup against the Connecticut Sun. Fans first spotted the change in the team’s pregame outfit photos, and the internet did the rest. Fashion outlet LeagueFits even dubbed her “Chicago’s newest redhead” in a post that quickly picked up traction.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting. Van Lith’s rookie numbers-3.6 points and 1.6 assists in 12.7 minutes per game-tell the story of a player still trying to carve out a role. She’s appeared in 28 games without a start, and a lingering ankle injury has slowed her development.
Searching for a Spark
At just 23, Van Lith’s story is still being written. She was a star at Louisville, spent her final year at LSU under Kim Mulkey, and arrived in Chicago with a reputation for toughness and scoring. But her last eight games have produced only 13 points, and she hasn’t found much floor time recently.
That’s why fans are reading into the new look as more than just a hairstyle. For some, it’s a symbolic reset-a fresh version of a player who still has plenty of potential.
“Confidence is everything,” one coach told The Athletic earlier this season. And right now, Van Lith is searching for it.
The Sky may not be headed for the postseason, but if Van Lith can use this late stretch to reset-on or off the court-she could still finish her rookie year with momentum. For now, the new hair has people talking. The next step is giving them something to talk about between the lines.
Read the full article here
