During the recent March Madness tournament, all eyes were on Hailey Van Lith as she lit up the court with her incredible performance. But it wasn’t just her skills on the court that were catching people’s attention. It was the presence of her father and boyfriend, NBA guard Jalen Suggs, in the stands that had everyone talking. However, in a recent interview, Hailey revealed that the spotlight on her loved ones wasn’t always easy for her to handle.
But before we dive into Hailey’s emotional journey, let’s take a look at her impressive performance during March Madness. The 23-year-old guard was a key player for the University of Louisville’s women’s basketball team, leading them to the Elite Eight round of the tournament. She averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, proving herself as a versatile and talented player.
Naturally, with such a stellar performance, Hailey’s name was being thrown around as a top pick for the 2025 WNBA Draft. And on April 14, as she sat waiting for her name to be called, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was ecstatic and proud of her achievements. But on the other hand, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness knowing that her boyfriend’s NBA career was taking off while hers was just beginning to take shape.
In an emotional interview, Hailey opened up about this tough realization. She shared, “It’s incredible to see Jalen doing so well in the NBA, but it’s also tough for me to accept that our careers are headed in different directions.” She continued, “I’ve always been so focused on my own dreams and goals, but now I have to consider how our relationship will fit into that.”
It’s clear that Hailey’s love and support for Jalen go beyond just being a supportive girlfriend. But at the same time, she struggles with the fact that their paths may not be aligned in the future. However, despite this, Hailey remains driven and determined to make her own mark in the WNBA. She acknowledges that while Jalen has been a huge source of motivation and inspiration for her, she also has her own goals and dreams to pursue.
And it seems that Jalen is fully supportive of Hailey’s career aspirations as well. In a recent interview, he shared his pride for her and explained how she has always been a self-motivated and hardworking individual. He said, “I know Hailey will do amazing things in her own right, and I’m excited to see her excel in the WNBA.”
In fact, Jalen’s presence and support have also been a huge factor in Hailey’s development as a player. During the March Madness tournament, Jalen would often join Hailey for pre-game warm-ups and offer her advice and pointers. Hailey described this as a “blessing” and credited him for helping her improve her game.
But beyond just her relationship with Jalen, Hailey also has an incredibly supportive family by her side. Her father, Michael Van Lith, has been her coach and mentor since she first picked up a basketball at the age of four. He has been a constant source of guidance and support throughout her basketball journey and has helped shape her into the incredible player she is today.
It’s evident that Hailey is surrounded by a strong support system, and it’s this support that has helped her navigate through the ups and downs of her career decisions. While it may have been tough for her to accept the differences in her and Jalen’s careers, she remains focused and optimistic. And with the support of her loved ones, there’s no doubt that she will continue to achieve great success in the future.
As for Jalen, he has found comfort in celebrating Hailey’s achievements and being a part of her journey. In a recent Instagram post, he shared a photo of Hailey holding up her new WNBA jersey, with a heartwarming caption that read, “So proud of you, my love. This is only the beginning.”
It’s clear that Hailey and Jalen’s relationship goes far beyond just being a romantic one. They share a deep understanding and support for each other’s careers, and that is something truly special and rare to find. As Hailey takes the next step in her basketball career, she will undoubtedly have her loved
