The Connecticut Sun have waived Hailey Van Lith for the second time in a single month during the 2026 season [2], [3].
The move highlights the difficulty high-profile collegiate stars face when transitioning to the professional level. Van Lith, a former standout at TCU, has struggled to secure a permanent position on a WNBA roster despite her draft pedigree [1], [5].
Van Lith entered the league as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft [1]. However, her tenure with the Uncasville-based team has been marked by instability. She appeared in nine games during the current campaign before the team decided to waive her again [2].
This sequence of events marks two waivers within one month [3]. The instability is attributed to the highly competitive nature of the WNBA and Van Lith's limited impact on the court during her playing time [5].
Despite the professional setbacks, Van Lith has maintained a positive outlook on her resilience. "My first waiving boosted my confidence," Van Lith said [4].
The Sun continue to manage their roster as the 2026 season progresses. The team's decision to move on from a former first-round pick underscores the narrow margin for error for rookies attempting to establish themselves in the league.
“The Connecticut Sun have waived Hailey Van Lith for the second time in a single month.”
The repeated waiving of a top-12 draft pick illustrates the significant gap between collegiate dominance and professional viability in the WNBA. With limited roster spots and a high concentration of talent, players who do not provide immediate, impactful contributions often find themselves expendable, regardless of their draft position or collegiate reputation.
