“Running It Back in the Pros”: Angel Reese Celebrates Hailey Van Lith Reunion After 2025 WNBA Draft

Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith are teaming up again—this time on the biggest stage in women’s basketball. Moments after the 2025 WNBA Draft concluded and Van Lith officially became a member of the Chicago Sky, Reese couldn’t hold back her excitement. The two had once dominated the college game together at LSU, helping the Tigers reach national prominence and captivating fans with their fierce competitiveness and flashy style. Now, they’ll look to do it all again in the WNBA.

Reese, who was selected by the Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, immediately took to social media with a celebratory post that caught fire among basketball fans.

“Running it back in the pros,” she posted with a series of fire and heart emojis, tagging Van Lith and adding, “Let’s get it, sis.”

The post quickly drew thousands of likes and shares, not just because of the excitement of the reunion, but because it symbolized something larger—two of the most talked-about, watched, and followed players in recent women’s college basketball history now reuniting as professionals, ready to bring the same energy and attention to the WNBA.

Reese and Van Lith’s bond was forged under the bright lights of Baton Rouge. Though they came from different backgrounds—Reese from Baltimore, Maryland, and Van Lith from Wenatchee, Washington—their shared tenacity and drive made them an instant duo when Van Lith transferred to LSU from Louisville ahead of the 2023-24 season. With Reese already entrenched as the heart and soul of the Tigers, Van Lith brought her own brand of intensity and sharp shooting to complement the reigning national champions.

They clicked on the court, but it was their off-court camaraderie that turned heads. Whether it was dancing in postgame locker room videos, supporting each other through ups and downs, or standing united in press conferences, Reese and Van Lith looked every bit like a pair of longtime teammates despite only spending one season together at LSU.

Now, they’ll have the chance to rekindle that connection with the Sky. The WNBA’s Chicago franchise has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, building around young talent and positioning itself as a landing spot for some of college basketball’s biggest names. With Reese already a key piece of the franchise, adding Van Lith brings not only familiarity but a spark of chemistry that few rookies can develop from scratch.

Van Lith’s selection didn’t come as a surprise to those familiar with her game. Despite facing scrutiny and challenges during her lone season at LSU, she remained one of the nation’s most dynamic guards. Her ability to create shots, make tough plays in transition, and defend at a high level was on full display throughout her collegiate career. For the Sky, who needed backcourt scoring and a player with leadership experience, she checked all the boxes.

And for Reese, having a trusted running mate in the locker room again is invaluable.

“This is bigger than basketball,” Reese told reporters after the draft. “Hailey and I have been through a lot together—pressure, expectations, noise. We’ve grown through it. Having her here in Chicago means everything. We know how to push each other, and we both want to win more than anything.”

Their reunion also brings fresh energy to the WNBA at a crucial time. The league has been on a steady rise in popularity, with attendance numbers climbing, TV ratings reaching new highs, and a new wave of young stars flooding the scene. Reese and Van Lith, with their substantial followings and outsized personalities, are poised to become central figures in that momentum.

Between the two of them, they’ve amassed millions of followers across social media platforms. Their brand power has already translated into NIL deals and endorsement opportunities, but now, it’s about translating attention into wins—and potentially bringing a championship to the Windy City.

“People love a story,” said Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. “And this is a great story. But what I love is that it’s not just about headlines with these two. They come to work. They compete. They’ve already proven they can lead and win together. That’s what we’re counting on here.”

The Sky’s front office, too, was intentional about the pairing. They recognized that beyond the talent each player brings individually, their ability to thrive as a duo could be a building block for sustained success. Reese, with her physical post presence, relentless rebounding, and vocal leadership, sets the tone on both ends. Van Lith, with her scoring mentality and defensive toughness, complements that by creating offensive balance and pressure on the perimeter.

In the college game, their contrast was their strength. Reese would dominate the paint, while Van Lith attacked off the dribble or stretched defenses with her range. Now in the pros, where spacing and tempo are even more important, their familiarity could make the Sky one of the more intriguing young teams in the league.

“Everyone’s looking for chemistry,” Weatherspoon added. “And it’s rare you can get two players who already have it baked in. That’s a head start, and we’ll take it.”

The road ahead won’t be easy. The WNBA remains one of the most competitive leagues in professional sports, with fewer teams and roster spots than most major leagues. Rookies often face steep learning curves, adjusting to the speed, strength, and savvy of veteran players. Reese experienced it firsthand in her rookie year. She had moments of brilliance—double-doubles, clutch rebounds, and standout defensive games—but also games where she admitted she felt the growing pains.

She believes Van Lith is ready for that challenge.

“Hailey’s one of the toughest people I know,” Reese said. “People questioned her all year at LSU, but she kept showing up, kept competing. That’s what it takes here. And I’ll be right there with her, helping her every step of the way.”

As for Van Lith, she remained composed after her name was called on draft night. Sitting beside her family and beaming with pride, she thanked Louisville, LSU, and her supporters. But when asked specifically about reuniting with Reese, her face lit up.

“I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “Angel and I built something special at LSU. We pushed each other. We held each other accountable. And now we get to do it again, at the highest level. That’s a blessing.”

With preseason approaching, all eyes will be on how quickly the two rekindle their on-court chemistry and how they’ll help shape the identity of this new-look Sky team. Chicago hasn’t won a title since 2021, but there’s a growing belief that with Reese, Van Lith, and other young talent, the foundation is in place for another run.

Meanwhile, the buzz around their reunion continues to trend across social media. Former teammates, WNBA stars, and fans have all weighed in with excitement and curiosity about what’s next for the duo.

Even LSU head coach Kim Mulkey offered a reaction, telling local media, “I always said Angel and Hailey were pros in the making. Seeing them reunite in Chicago is something special. They brought a lot of pride to LSU, and now they’ll do the same for the Sky.”

For Reese and Van Lith, the reunion is more than just a feel-good story—it’s a mission. A chance to pick up where they left off, but now with even higher stakes and bigger dreams.

As Reese put it in her draft night post: “Let’s build something real.