Offseason Report: Hailey Van Lith and TCU are Running Towards the Grind
Hailey Van Lith and the TCU Horned Frogs are ready to show what they're made of this year.
As college non-conference schedules finalize, TCU is showing they are ready to compete with the best in the sport.
In July, the Horned Frogs announced they were hosting the defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks this upcoming season and, just last week, dropped the news that Wes Moore and NC State will also be coming to Fort Worth this year.
After a season marred by injuries, the Horned Frogs are looking to bounce back and compete with a fully healthy roster and an intriguing new piece. LSU transfer Hailey Van Lith joins the team this year with something to prove and Olympic experience on her side.
Van Lith has had arguably the craziest journey in women’s basketball this year. From going viral as a meme several times this past college season while at LSU, to winning Bronze in 3x3 Olympic Basketball in Paris this week, she’s seen the highs and lows that come with the game. This particular stint with 3x3 basketball was a testament to her unwavering determination.
HVL’s performance in the Olympics answered several question marks in her game and showcased her ability to rise to the occasion. Leading the team in total points, she demonstrated her knack for creating shots, scoring in clutch moments, and playing with confidence and aggression. Her efforts were recognized as she was named to the Women’s Team of the Tournament Thursday morning.
Despite being the only collegiate player on the team, she brought a wealth of experience having previously won five FIBA gold medals in 3x3 competition. This helped as the U.S. got off to a slow start, quickly dropping to 0-3. But, true to her resilient nature, she led a remarkable turnaround. The team embarked on a four-game win streak, propelling them into contention for the gold medal game. Although they fell short against Spain, Van Lith's leadership and determination shone through as Team USA secured a bronze medal with a victory over Canada.
Van Lith would later credit the famous ‘Mamba Mentality’ for her end of Tournament heroics.
“I think Kobe would be proud as heck of me for not letting us lose that last game, she told reporters in Paris. “Sometimes you can’t control the outcomes, like that last game. I’m not gonna lie, it was tough. It was a tough situation for us to win it and we just didn’t soak in it. That’s the Kobe mentality. It’s like f*** it and go out and win the next game.”
Van Lith joined the Olympic team after a difficult season at LSU that forced a lot of adjustment on her part. In a less prominent role compared to her Louisville days, she faced intense scrutiny from critics and fans alike. Despite the challenges, she maintained solid averages of 11.6 PPG and 3.6 APG. The noise grew as people questioned what she is or isn’t still capable of and if LSU was ever the right decision.
Once the season concluded, Van Lith entered the transfer portal again, utilizing her fifth season of collegiate eligibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, she committed to TCU, citing "opportunity" and her belief in coach Mark Campbell's system as deciding factors. She was quoted in the Star-Telegram saying
“It was all a really good fit for me, and I felt really comfortable when I came for my visit.”
Van Lith also has familiarity with head coach Mark Campbell stretching back to her highschool days in Washington. Campbell, an assistant at Oregon at the time, heavily recruited her to be the next Sabrina Ionescu. Although he lost out on her then, the relationship was a big piece of her coming to Fort Worth now. Her journey over the past year sets the stage for an exciting season at TCU.