In a twist that has TCU fans buzzing louder than the Fort Worth rodeo, the Horned Frogs’ very own Hailey Van Lith is now the first TCU baller on the prestigious Naismith Player of the Year watchlist in 14 years! Not only did Van Lith bring her scoring finesse to Texas, but she also brought a reputation so big it needs its own stadium.
A Point Guard with a Point to Prove
Van Lith may have faced a season of “character building” with LSU last year, but don’t let that fool you; this point guard’s on a mission. And it’s personal. From her lowest points per game since freshman year to her dwindling shot attempts, Van Lith’s move from LSU to TCU comes with a point to prove. According to her former teammate Angel Reese, it wasn’t Van Lith’s skill that was lacking; it was the playbook. “It just wasn’t a good fit for that specific team,” Reese said, explaining that Hailey was basically a sports car stuck in rush-hour traffic.
So, what’s next for HVL in TCU’s purple paradise? Perhaps the award panel should grab their popcorn, because the comeback arc of Hailey Van Lith might just blow them away.
What Exactly is the Naismith Trophy?
The Naismith Trophy—awarded to only the finest player across the Division I universe—is the holy grail of college basketball. You have to really bring the heat to land on this list. We’re talking about previous winners like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Paige Bueckers, who turned college basketball into their personal highlight reels. Now, it’s Hailey’s turn.
This year, alongside Van Lith, the watchlist features heavy-hitters like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby, USC’s JuJu Watkins, and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson. Only time will tell who’ll emerge as the best in the country, but Hailey has her name in the mix, and she’s ready to turn a few heads.
The (Slightly Rocky) Road from LSU
Last season was, let’s say, not ideal. Van Lith’s points per game dropped to a measly 11.6, and her shot attempts plummeted from 16.8 to just under 10. That’s like taking a Ferrari and capping it at 50 mph. To top it off, she barely got to let loose from downtown, with only 3.6 three-point attempts per game, marking a career low. But as Reese put it, “She’s an amazing guard who can do so many great things on the court.”
Reese believes the only thing in HVL’s way at LSU was the game plan, which just didn’t let her shine. And Hailey? She’s more than ready to prove she’s still the scoring machine we all know and love.
TCU’s Basketball Drought—Officially Over
It’s been a long 14 years since TCU had a player on the Naismith Trophy radar, and you’d better believe TCU is ready to celebrate that drought ending! If Van Lith lives up to the hype (and maybe just a little trash talk on social media), we might see her lead TCU to some unforgettable showdowns. This Horned Frog is ready to hop right into the spotlight, and as the first TCU hooper to earn this nod, she’s got a lot of eyeballs on her—and an entire Texas fanbase to impress.
