Though she lives in a quiet town in the state of washington,class of 2020 guard hailey van lith’s game is loud as hell. Listen up.
Cashmere, Wa, is a peaceful town of 3,140 people that sits in the valley of the Cascade Mountains. It’s also the home of Hailey Van Lith, one of the most electrifying point guards in the nation.
Once as under-the-radar as the idyllic Washington town she hails from, Van Lith is now an internet sensation, boasting more followers on Instagram than most WNBA and college basketball stars.
A fiery point guard with a healthy helping of spice to her game, the lefty is a walking highlight. She’s been crossing up defenders almost from the moment she picked up a ball—literally breaking her older brother’s ankle in their first game of one-on-one.
At 5-9, she may not stand out off the court, but make no mistake: Hailey Van Lith is a killer who intends to bury her opponent as quickly as possible. And she’ll make it look easy while doing so.
“[My style of play] is a little saucy. I definitely do enjoy the flair, but I can be fundamental, too, and I really love defense,” says the 17-year-old junior. “So it’s saucy, but it’s also serious. It’s business out there for me.”
Before every game, Van Lith goes into the huddle and screams, “Let’s get this money!” Then she goes to work, unleashing an array of buckets. Step-back trey. Cash. Snatch back hesi through traffic. And one. Pump fake cross. Swish.
Armed with elite quickness and strength, Van Lith is impossible to hold in check. A hawk on defense, she plays the passing lanes for steals and creates fast breaks.
“Transition is where you can really get saucy,” she says. “You can throw behind-the-back passes, you might do a wrap-around. It’s endless.”
This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Slam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July - August 2019 edition of Slam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The SUMMER THAT WASN'T
Playground entry fences chain locked. Rims removed. Leagues canceled. Summer basketball just stopped in 2020. And as its effects extended beyond the blacktop, we were reminded why it's so important.
METAMORPHOSIS
The sport of basketball speaks to so many people in so many ways. Dan Peterson, the founder of Project Backboard, has teamed up with artists to use the beauty of the sport to turn local courts into works of art that are accessible to all.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S Fire
For former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, the last three years have had their ups and downs. Now that he and the Phoenix Suns are back on the way up, DA wants everyone to know that's where they're planning to stay.
Now What?
As North Carolina rapper J. Cole transitioned from up-and-comer to full-blown vet, he came to a realization: staying sharp and fighting off complacency ain't easy. Inspired by his love for basketball and his desire to remain on top of the game, the 36-year-old has been treating music like a competitive sport while he readies his next project: The Off-Season.
ONE STEP AT A Time
NBA and G League vet Jeremy Lin and Loyola Marymount's Anthony Yu speak candidly about the ups and downs of being Asian American in the basketball world.
THE GARDEN Blooms
The Knicks are back. Deadass, they're back. A return to the tough, gritty, resilient style that made the teams of the past so dominant has allowed Saba Julius Randle and RJ Barrett and the Knicks an opportunity to compete for homecourt advantage in the 2021 playoffs. Facts.
CITIZEN OF THE World
Congolese native Yannick Nzosa played for professional teams in Italy and Spain before he turned 17. Now that his name is moving up the 2022 pre-draft boards, the former soccer player has one thing front and center in his mind—succeeding for his family back home.
STRONG Island
Mental fortitude and physical toughness are what's helped Long Island's Arella Guirantes make it all the way to the W.
KICK IN THE Door
The WNBA, now in its 25th season, is the longest-running women's sports league ever. SLAM sat down with four of the most influential players of all time Diana Taurasi, Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Sue Bird to discuss their part in making the League the force it is today.
Can't YOU SEE
It ain't hard to tell that supernatural vision has established Nuggets star Nikola Jokic as a clear candidate for the 2021 MVP Award.