Angel Reese’s Honest Thoughts on Pressures Surrounding Hailey Van Lith

Chicago Sky’s newest member, Hailey Van Lith, has recently reunited with her former LSU teammate Angel Reese during the Sky’s training camp at Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, Illinois. As HVL gears up for her rookie WNBA season, the spotlight and pressure from the media and fans have been intense, with high expectations for her to deliver right away. In a recent press interview following the second day of training camp, Reese shared that she and HVL have a great relationship.

This is Reese's second season with the Chicago Sky. "I know a lot of pressure is probably on her from the outside," says Reese. "I know how it is just being the big name coming to town and expected to do big things.



I'm just telling her to 'stay calm' and 'stay poised.'"Angel Reese pic.twitter.

com/g2jJnybfM9— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) April 27, 2025Towards the end of the interview, Reese reflects on her previous season, stating that she didn't have many vets to look up to when she first started in the WNBA. "Last year was tough for me because I didn't have a lot of vets," Reese admits. "So being that 'big sister,' I guess, kind of to her this year is super important for her.

"Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert at the Draft.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images​Van Lith had a remarkable collegiate basketball career before joining the Sky. ​The 23-year-old athlete began her college basketball career at the University of Louisville, where she played three seasons and led the team in scoring during her sophomore and junior years.

But for her senior year, she transferred to LSU for the 2023–24 season. In the 2025 WNBA Draft, HVL was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky. As training camp continues and the season approaches, fans are excited to see what Van Lith and the Chicago Sky will accomplish together.

With her strong bond with Reese and a fresh start in the WNBA, HVL is ready to make an impact and take her game to the next level. The team's preseason will start on May 2 at LSU against the Brazil Women’s National Team..