The Chicago Sky have waived Hailey Van Lith in a move that sources told ESPN was based on the coaching staff's "style-of-play preference."
Van Lith was selected by the Sky with the 11th pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and averaged 3.5 points per game in 12.4 minutes during her rookie campaign. The 5-foot-9 guard was limited to 29 games last season as she dealt with an ankle injury throughout the year but, after spending the summer rehabbing, Van Lith is healthy per sources.
The sources told ESPN that there is a lot of interest in the former college standout, and that there are active conversations with a number of teams throughout the league.
Chicago is now without either both of its lottery picks from the last two seasons, as they traded away Angel Reese to the Dream on April 6 kicking off what sources described to ESPN as a roster overhaul. Chicago finished last season tied for the league's worst record at 10-34.
Van Lith scored 20 points in her first preseason game against the Phoenix Mercury on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field on April 25, and then finished with five points against the Atlanta Dream on April 29.
In a separate move, the Sky signed guard Natasha Cloud to undisclosed terms. Cloud, a 10-year WNBA veteran, holds career averages of 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. She played last season for the New York Liberty, averaging 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals over 41 games.
"Natasha is one of the best passers and defenders in our league," General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. "She fits in with the other proven winners on our roster."
The Sky now has 14 players on its roster, as it had also waived Latasha Lattimore and Tonie Morgan.
Chicago has two development spots available, which Van Lith could qualify for. Bur first, she will have to clear waivers, which means no other team can claim her contract in the next 48 hours.
Final rosters are due on May 7.