Angel Reese reacts to LSU landing Hailey Van Lith

Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith, perhaps the best talent in the women’s portal, has committed to reigning champs LSU, linking up with returning superstar and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Angel Reese. There’s really no other way to put it: the best team just added the best free agent. This is like Kevin Durant joining the Warriors, but in women’s college hoops.

Upon the announcement of Van Lith’s commitment, Reese chimed in to offer her reaction to the Tigers landing her a new star teammate:

oh it’s UP.🤪 https://t.co/zw0Sp4SIx5

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 27, 2023

You simply won’t find a better one-two or inside-out punch in women’s college basketball next season. Van Lith struggled with turnovers and efficiency with the Cards this past season compared to others, but on a much more talented squad, she’ll be able to focus on taking better shots while developing into a true lead playmaker, which should excite WBNA scouts.

For more on the new Tiger starlet, read On3’s Nick Schultz’ initial recap of her move:

Background on Hailey Van Lith

Van Lith starred for Louisville this past season, averaging 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game to help the Cardinals to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before entering the transfer portal April 8, On3’s Jamie Shaw reported. She took an official visit to LSU April 18, as On3 and The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon reported, and now appears ready to take her talents to Baton Rouge to play for Kim Mulkey.

LSU used the portal effectively last offseason as Mulkey engineered a program turnaround that culminated with a national championship. Angel Reese and Jasmine Carson were two of the highest-profile transfer additions, helping lead the Tigers to the mountaintop.

Van Lith is also making a name for herself in the NIL space with her On3 NIL Valuation. She has an NIL Valuation of $518K, which puts her at No. 91 in the On3 NIL 100.

“Hailey Van Lith has established herself as a star in NIL over the last 21 months,” On3 sports business reporter Pete Nakos said. “She’s carefully crafted her brand, with her most noteworthy deals so far easily being Adidas and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

“It will be interesting to watch if her partnership with the sportswear brand makes any impact on where she decides to transfer. Louisville was an Adidas school.”

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. The On3 NIL Valuation calculates the optimized NIL opportunity for athletes relative to the overall NIL market and projects out to as long as 12 months into the future.