In a shocking turn of events, Chicago Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith finds herself at the center of a growing controversy following remarks made about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during a live interview at the 2025 WNBA Draft. What seemed like a lighthearted moment has spiraled into a PR nightmare, with reports suggesting Van Lith is losing sponsorships and facing intense fan backlash. The incident has reignited discussions about rivalries, respect, and the weight of words in the high-stakes world of professional basketball.
During the WNBA Draft on April 15, 2025, Van Lith, selected as the No. 11 overall pick by the Chicago Sky, was asked to play the popular “Start, Bench, Cut” game, ranking WNBA stars Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark. Her response was unexpected and polarizing: “Give flowers to the legend. We’re going to start Diana Taurasi. I’m going to bench Sabrina and cut Caitlin.” The decision to “cut” Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year and a fan favorite, was met with immediate criticism, particularly from Clark’s fiercely loyal fanbase.[](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14049030/hailey-van-lith-caitlin-clark-wnba-draft/)
The clip quickly went viral, with fans on X and other platforms accusing Van Lith of disrespecting Clark, whose meteoric rise has made her a cornerstone of the WNBA. Posts on X amplified the outrage, with one user stating, “HVL dead to me,” while another referenced a past game, saying, “I see HVL still salty from CC cooking her in the Elite Eight.” The backlash wasn’t just limited to social media. Reports surfaced that Van Lith’s comments led to sponsors reconsidering their partnerships, with one X post claiming she was “losing sponsors after disrespecting Caitlin Clark” before even stepping onto a WNBA court
Van Lith and Clark have a storied history, dating back to their college days. In the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Tournaments, Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Van Lith’s Louisville Cardinals and LSU Tigers, respectively, with Clark dropping 41 points in each game. A viral moment from the 2024 Elite Eight, where Van Lith shrugged after Clark’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture, became a meme, fueling perceptions of a rivalry. Fans pointed to these encounters, suggesting Van Lith’s draft-night comments were rooted in lingering resentment.[](https://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/give_flowers_to_the_legend_caitlin_clark_gets_cut_by_angel_reeses_new_teammate_hailey_van_lith_in_start_bench_cut_game/s1_17382_42058753)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-hailey-van-lith-gets-turned-meme-getting-cooked-caitlin-clark-national-tv)
Despite Van Lith’s previous praise for Clark, calling her a “great player” and “great person” in 2023, her recent remarks have overshadowed those sentiments. The Sky’s season opener against Clark’s Fever on May 17, 2025, where Van Lith made her WNBA debut with limited minutes, only intensified the narrative. Clark’s triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) dominated the game, while Van Lith’s brief appearance—guarding Clark and scoring a single jumper—did little to quell the critics.[](
As the controversy grows, Van Lith faces a challenging road ahead. With the WNBA spotlight on her, the rookie must navigate the fallout, prove her worth on the court, and mend her public image. For now, the court of public opinion has spoken, and the cost of her words is proving steep
