Sports

Hailey Van Lith Gives Powerful Message In The Face Of Online Hate After Being ‘Trapped’ At Past Stops

#TCU Horned Frogs
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TCU women's basketball star Hailey Van Lith dribbles during a game.

© Chris Jones-Imagn Images


Hailey Van Lith has reinvented herself with the TCU women’s basketball program. The star guard opened up on past criticisms received at previous stops, and how they weighed on her mental health.

HVL says she felt “trapped” during stints with Louisville and LSU. Online negativity played a large part.

Van Lith has long been one of the sport’s top stars. She began her career with the Cardinals before transferring to play for Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers.

The Tigers were fresh off a national title. Her presence was expected to spark another championship run. It didn’t happen.

Instead, Van Lith struggled in her new role as a combo guard. She appeared a shell of herself, seeing her scoring average dip from 19.7 points per game to 11.6.

Many attacked the veteran for her play on the floor. She received hate away from the court, too.

Hailey Van Lith hit the portal once again after her lone season in Baton Rouge. She landed at TCU where she’s become one of the best stories in college basketball.

She credits her performance directly to that transfer. After a win in the Round of 32 over her former school, she opened up about her previous struggles.

Hailey Van Lith admitted to being in a very dark place while suiting up for her old teams. The mental health issues began as a high school All-American. They continued into her star-studded NCAA tenure.

TCU has helped her transform both on and off the court. She feels free with her new program.

That sense of freedom has been evident in her play. As a senior, Van Lith is averaging 17.7 points with a career-high 5.5 assists per game. She tallied a double-double in an 85-70 win over Louisville her last time out.

A change of scenery was necessary for her well-being. She’ll now look to close out her college career with a national championship.