Hailey Van Lith opens up on decision to transfer away from Louisville

One of the biggest moves this offseason came when Louisville Cardinals star Hailey Van Lith announced she was transferring out of the program. Eventually, she landed at the defending national champion LSU.

Now, while speaking to Taylor Rooks, Van Lith explained what went into her decision to transfer out of Louisville.

“I think, you know, it came down to my ability to be happy,” Hailey Van Lith said. “And I had to put myself first in that instance. You know, I felt like I had done my part and I had sacrificed myself and had given my all to that program, and I was very grateful for the experiences I had there, but at the end of the day I just wasn’t enjoying everyday life.”

As Van Lith explained, the move had less to do with Louisville and more to do with her going and finding somewhere where she was happy.

“It’s not necessarily all Louisville’s fault, but it’s also not all my fault too. So, it was a situation there where I chose that I deserve happiness. Like, I deserve an opportunity to love life, and that was why I left. I had no idea where I was gonna go. I was fresh in the portal, like what am I gonna do with my life now, but it was a really emotional, really hard decision.”

Hailey Van Lith emphasized that the decision to leave Louisville was a difficult one, pointing out that she had tons of success and good friends who she was leaving behind.

“Some of the highs in my life have been there, but also the deepest lows of my life have been there. And I think that I was at the point where I learned what I needed to learn from that situation and that environment and I was giving myself grace to leave that and find something better for myself.”

On top of that, Hailey Van Lith said that she can’t control speculation for her motives. However, it is just that — speculation.

“I know in my heart that I made the right decision for me and my family and for women’s basketball in general. So, yeah, I think on both sides there’s love and appreciation for the time that we had together because I don’t regret it. I don’t regret going to Louisville. I’m a much better player and a much better person because of my experience there, but like I said, I’ve given myself the grace and the opportunity to find something better.”

Hailey Van Lith on rumors about her transfer

When she transferred to LSU, Haily Van Lith faced rumors that the move was related to either NIL or that she was chasing a ring.

“I think, you know, with NIL being a popular topic of conversation and even, like, the ring chasing rumors? I think, you know, those are logical things for people who don’t know the situation to attract to for an explanation as to why it happened. But it was a decision made from the standpoint of, ‘Is Hailey happy?’. And, ‘Can Hailey attain happiness in this situation?’. That’s what I made my decision off of,” Van Lith said.

“I don’t feel bad for it because, at the end of the day, I had to choose myself and I was ready to do that. I do feel happy. And I think, like, I’ve grown so much, even this summer. I’ve had all these experiences that I never would have had if I wouldn’t have made the move that I made. I think I’ve been able to impact certain people with my decision too. Like, you know, I think some players? They do feel weight and pressure to stay at schools that they might not be happy at. They don’t want to disappoint or they don’t want to seem disloyal. But I think the only person that you owe true loyalty to is yourself.”