Few names have been so vitally linked to the popularity boom of women’s basketball than Hailey Van Lith. Van Lith’s excellent skills on the basketball court and charismatic persona off it have made her must-see-TV for fans of all ages in the Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) era of collegiate athletics.

Van Lith is at her best when the lights shine brightest, seen here celebrating a made three with LSU teammate Angel Reese during the Tigers’ game against South Carolina in front of a sold-out crowd of 13,205 on Jan. 25, 2024. A line of students clad in purple and yellow wrapped around the exterior of Pete Maravich Assembly Center like a boa constrictor, creating a palpable buzz leading up to the tip-off of that season’s most anticipated women’s hoops showdown.

Van Lith’s success as a student-athlete is no surprise thanks to her exceptional work ethic. Seen here fine-tuning her dribbling touch with a weighted training ball, Van Lith’s emphasis on training her physical and mental mettle has simplified basketball’s many idiosyncrasies into muscle memory. “The work ethic for this woman is matched by very few in this world,” said Jordan Lawley, Van Lith’s personal skills trainer (JLawBBall on YouTube, 2021).

Van Lith’s college career changed course ahead of her senior season when she transferred from the University of Louisville to Louisiana State University. Van Lith and LSU’s pursuit of back-to-back national championships ended in the Elite Eight with a loss to Caitlin Clark and the University of Iowa. At season’s end, Van Lith opted against the WNBA Draft and entered her name into the transfer portal once more, hungry and optimistic for a fresh start and new opportunities at her third and final school.

Before Van Lith announced which uniform she’d wear for her final collegiate season, she donned the stars and stripes at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France as a member of the United States’ 3x3 women’s basketball team. Van Lith brought home a bronze medal to add to an already chock-full trophy case, as well as 2024 USA Basketball 3x3 Female Athlete of the Year honors.

After representing Team USA as the only collegiate basketball athlete participating in the 2024 Olympic games, Van Lith announced she would make her last collegiate stop at Texas Christian University to play under head coach Mark Campbell. Campbell had big plans to “unleash” Van Lith’s primary scoring ability, an asset of her game that struggled in her time at LSU. “Hailey needs freedom, she needs space, and when she has those things she can put the ball in the hole at a high level and create for your team at a high level,” Campbell said (247 Sports, 2024).

Van Lith’s Christian faith is an essential force in both her athletic career and personal life. Van Lith’s Instagram bio references 1 Peter 5:6, which reads, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Before every game, Van Lith reads scripture and employs a three-step motto of remaining joyful, free and present on the court.

As a Horned Frog, Van Lith’s signature style of play has returned with unrivaled intensity. With re-established creative freedom as a scorer and profound positivity from Mark Campbell’s staff, Van Lith has led TCU from preseason unknown to national title contender status. The program has set records in AP poll placement (9), home winning streak (16 and counting) and student attendance.

During TCU’s game against the University of Kansas on Jan. 8, 2025, sunlight slips through the windows of Allen Fieldhouse and onto Van Lith. As an Olympic athlete and college basketball star, Van Lith manages the spotlight of social media brought on by millions of followers while leading her unit of five on the court.

In a sport known for its athletes’ unbridled bravado, Van Lith’s signature blonde braids have remained a constant through every step of her journey. From the hardwood floors of America’s most iconic basketball venues to the synthetic polymer of France’s Olympic arena and the red carpets of Los Angeles on ESPY Awards night, you can count on Van Lith (and her braids) to always be joyful, free and present.