When LSU’s season ended last season, everyone expected it to be Hailey Van Lith’s last year with the Tigers as the WNBA draft was looming. But we didn’t know she would indeed leave but to enter the transfer portal. Opting for a fresh start, she has joined the TCU Horned Frogs for her fifth year, and it might be the best decision she’s ever made.

After playing just 4 games this season, she has already notched her first-ever 10-assist double-double. The moment was so overwhelming that she broke down in tears, hugging her coach, Mark Campbell, as he celebrated her achievement. 

“You’ve never done that in your life. Good job, Kiddo. The Playmaker. She’s being unleashed. You’re just getting started,” he said. With tears of joy streaming down, #11 could only thank her teammates and coaches for believing in her. All that while, we could hear her teammates cheering for her. 

The coach, proud of the guard, also ensured to add that she has had 19 assists in her last two games, saying that she is ‘built for it.’ TCU’s official X handle shared this video, writing, “Who else is cutting onions 🥹…HVL records her first career 10-assist double-double.”

The guard’s emotional milestone came during TCU’s electrifying 76-73 win over No. 13 NC State. The game was a statement, not just for the Horned Frogs but for HVL herself. She scored 18 points, dished out 10 assists, and became just the sixth active D1 player to surpass 2,000 career points. 

And let’s not forget that her passing game was on another level, as her team racked up 22 assists with only four turnovers. With Sedona Prince dominating the paint with 31 points and 16 rebounds, the 23-year-old’s court vision and playmaking made all the difference. Together, they were an unstoppable one-two punch.

Through four games this season, she had led the Frogs in assists in all games, averaging an impressive 17 points, 7.3 assists, and nearly 8 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers are indeed winning, but something might feel a little off in their every game. 

Is LSU missing Hailey Van Lith’s scoring power?

Coach Kim Mulkey’s post-game comments hinted at a team identity still in flux. When asked about Johnson’s role as the main scorer, the HC dodged, saying, “I wouldn’t use the word main scorer. We’ve got four or five players who can be double-figure scorers any night.”

Sure, that’s great for balance, but it also left LSU without a go-to player in crunch time. Basically, a role Van Lith could have filled. In her debut with the Horned Frogs, she dropped 21 points, 7 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds against Houston Christian. 

Well, that’s the kind of all-around performance LSU could be missing right now. While the Tigers have plenty of talent, their scoring seems scattered. In their season opener, LSU had four players in double figures, but none truly took over. 

It makes you wonder: could HVL have been that player? Even in her single season at LSU, she showed flashes of brilliance. But at TCU, she’s stacking her WNBA draft stock in a way that wasn’t possible at LSU last year. And no doubt, this might just be the start of her best season yet.