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Former Wnba star Angel McCoughtry made critical remarks about Chicago Sky Rookie Hailey Van Lith over the former TCU woman’s basketball player’s social media after.
McCoughtry suggested in a recent podcast interview that Van Lith may not have been looked at in WNBA if she did not have a big social media after. Van Lith was one of the most subsequent collegial athletes on social media. She has 1.3 million followers on Instagram alone.
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File – Chicago Sky Guard Hailey Van Lith (2) The ball moves down the field in the second half WNBA exhibition basketball match against Brazil in Baton Rouge, La., May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
“If Hailey Van Lith had 10,000 followers she would be in the league? Let me ask you,” McCoughtry said at “The Daily W.” “Honestly. We’re just talking about her true talent. Remove her followers. Would she be in the league if she had only 10,000 followers?”
“Hailey van Lith, she’s a decent player,” McCoughtry added. “Are there players out there maybe better than Hailey Van Lith? I think so. They aren’t popular.”
Van Lith was a solid guard for Louisville at the start of his college career. She an average of 15.4 points and 2.5 assists with the Cardinals from 2020 to 2023. He transferred to LSU and played with Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow and transferred again to end her collegial career with TCU, which she led to an NCAA Tournament Berth.
September 23, 2013; Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Dream Guard Angel McCoughtry (35) responds to the game against Washington Mystics during the second half of the Philips Arena. (Dale Zanine-usa Today Sports)
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When McCoughtry’s comments were dissected across social media during the week, she apologized in an Instagram Live session this weekend.
“Just then I know I know that one thing I am not is a hater. I’m not hated on nobody and these words never get out of my mouth,” she said via CBS Sports. “Now was my mistake I committed to give a point with the wrong delivery. I shouldn’t have used a particular player to make an example of a point I was trying to do. And I will apologize for it.
“I can take accountability when I am wrong, so I will apologize to Hailey for it. You worked hard for everything you have, plus more. Plus more. And that’s for all the players.”
McCoughtry also starred in Louisville before she was No. 1 overall election of the 2009 draft of Atlanta Dream. She played 10 seasons with the dream, two for Las Vegas Aces and one more with Minnesota Lynx. She was a five-time All-Star and 2009 Wnba Rookie of the Year.
Hailey van Lith puts with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the overall overall election for the Chicago sky in 2025 WNBA draft at the shed at Hudson Yards. (Vincent Carchietta-prescribed images)
Van Lith has been limited to a bench role in her rookie season so far. She average 5.1 points and 1.5 assists per Match in 10 matches.
