In a decision impacting women’s college basketball, LSU’s Hailey Van Lith entered into the transfer portal, according to an April 4 report by The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings.

The news comes one day after her teammate Angel Reese declared eligibility for the WNBA draft, and the move adds another layer of intrigue to the offseason narrative.

Van Lith’s journey in college basketball began as a star at Louisville, where she thrived in a shooting guard role under the tutelage of Jeff Walz. Her standout performances propelled the Cardinals to the 2022 Final Four and the Elite Eight in the 2021 season, cementing her status as one of the premier talents in the nation. A two-time First Team All-ACC selection, Van Lith’s junior campaign showcased her versatility, averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Upon joining LSU, Van Lith transitioned into a point guard role, envisioning it as a stepping stone toward her WNBA aspirations. Despite leading the Tigers with 118 assists and contributing 11.6 points per game, LSU fell short of defending their national title, bowing out in the Elite Eight against the Iowa Hawkeyes on April 1. Van Lith’s defensive performance against standout Caitlin Clark drew criticism, further fueling speculation about her future.

Hailey Van Lith Received Criticism All Year

The decision to enter the transfer portal amid uncertainty surrounding Van Lith’s future is a surprise. Many believed that before the start of the year, the plan was for Van Lith to declare for the WNBA draft following the year. But Van Lith has endured a lot of criticism all year, which may have influenced her decision to play for another program next season.

LSU fans were disappointed Van Lith averaged 11.6 points per game, far off the 19.7 per game she scored in her final season in Louisville. But the reality was she was learning a new position. One that required her to be a facilitator and rather than a scorer.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey came to Van Lith’s defense following a 75-60 LSU victory over Tennessee in which Van Lith hit two massive shots down the stretch and finished with a season-high 26 points, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

“Hailey’s taken a lot of criticism and it needs to stop,” Mulkey told reporters. “It needs to stop. She’s learned a new position; she’s on one of the top teams in the country and the defending national champions. She’s having to play the point guard, and today she moved to the off-guard. She had zero — and you write that big — she had zero turnovers in almost 37 minutes of play. That’s the most important stat in my eyes.”