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When Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith teamed up at LSU during the 2023-2024 season, fans had high hopes for an unstoppable duo. However, their time together didn’t lead to total dominance on the court. But, the two sparked a bond that clearly outlasted their shared season. Even now, that connection remains strong.

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In an Instagram post, as Van Lith complied a few snaps of her time at TCU of late, captioning, “the journey is the dream 10🤍,” Reese couldn’t resist responding. She quickly jumped into the comments with a heartfelt message: “Miss ya 10.” The duo, we miss too. But TCU has just proven to be a better space for the senior guard, overshadowing her run with the Tigers.

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In a recent game against Colorado, she proved her resilience by playing through food poisoning. Despite not feeling her best, Van Lith delivered 14 points. Not just that, she even grabbed six rebounds, and dished out three assists, leading TCU to a 63-50 victory.

Speaking about the challenges she faced, Van Lith admitted, “It’s not easy, especially with my role on the team. The other team doesn’t care that I was sick.” But her growth isn’t just about grit and toughness.

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Van Lith is developing into a complete point guard, averaging career highs in assists (6.4 per game) and defensive rebounds (4.0 per game). She’s also refined her offensive approach, learning to balance her game and not rely too heavily on drawing fouls. “As I’ve matured, I’ve tried to balance going downhill so much,” she explained, showcasing her evolution as a smarter, more adaptable player.

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The guard is currently averaging 17.9 points– an evident difference from her 11 point average with the Tigers. So Van Lith did not have the best time of her career at LSU, but Angel Reese sure ensured to curb in areas she could.

bad for her” Reese opens up about the core of her friendship with Hailey Van Lith.

Reese’s Instagram comment wasn’t just a casual shoutout—it was a reflection of the unique connection the two share. On her podcast Unapologetically Angel, Reese opened up about their time at LSU, where she reminisced meeting Hailey Van Lith, who had just transferred from Louisville, and attempting to get closer to her.

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USA Today via Reuters

“I think she was really distant from everybody else. So I kind of felt bad,” Reese recalled. “I was probably one of the closer people with her on the team.so was like let me get close to her and like see who she is, because she was the only white girl.”

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Although their personalities may have been different, Reese admired Van Lith’s drive and skill, recognizing what made her such a valuable player. Now, as Van Lith finds her rhythm at TCU, it’s clear that Reese’s support hasn’t wavered.

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Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Shivatmika Manvi

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