The announcement that LSU star Hailey Van Lith is entering the NCAA transfer portal sent seismic shockwaves through the NCAA women's basketball world yesterday. While there have been no ties to the cream and crimson thus far, we cannot help but to wonder if Indiana could indeed be the right fit for her?
The 22-year-old (23 in September) southpaw fell short of the elite level of play we have all grown accustomed to during her fourth collegiate campaign in 2023-2024. Regardless, there will be no shortage of suitors seeking her services for her 5th and final NCAA season.
In her 33 games (all starts) playing under Kim Mulkey in Baton Rouge, Van Lith strung together averages of 31.3 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.3 APG and 0.4 BPG on streaky shooting splits of 37.8% FG/33.9% 3/83.3% FT. While those are by no means bad numbers, they are not on the same level that they were in Van Lith's first 3 seasons at Louisville. By comparison, she started all 37 games in 2022-2023 and averaged 36.9 MPG, 19.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.5 SPG and 0.3 BPG on slightly more efficient shooting splits of 41.1% FG/29.3% 3/87.4% FT.
Perhaps luck was not on the side of Van Lith, her Tiger teammates and/or Kim Mulkey this season, but there is denying that her next team will be exceptionally lucky to have her.
Could Teri Moren and her Indiana Hoosiers be a sneaky threat to hail victorious in the sweepstakes for Hailey's services?