Hailey Van Lith Aims to⁤ Refine ‍Her Game Ahead of⁣ WNBA Debut

As young basketball star Hailey van⁤ Lith gears up⁤ for her inaugural season in the WNBA, she is keenly aware ⁤of the‍ areas in which she needs to improve. ⁤During the WNBPA rookie orientation in 2025, Van Lith shared her aspirations to refine her game,​ specifically highlighting her desire‌ to emulate the shooting prowess of Sabrina Ionescu, a prominent figure in‍ the league renowned for her‌ extraordinary skills.

### Van Lith Chooses Sabrina Ionescu’s Shooting Ability

While participating in a game of NBA 2K25, Van Lith was asked to select a player ​whose shooting skills she would like ‍to mimic.⁣ Without hesitation, ‍she chose Ionescu, stating, “Everyone needs a shooter. If I could have the pure shooting ability of Sabrina.” This admiration for ⁣Ionescu comes as no surprise, as the 2020 draftee has made history with numerous shooting records, including holding the ⁣record for the most ‌three-pointers in a single season despite facing ⁤challenges ‌during the 2024 season.

### Sabrina Ionescu’s Performance and recognition

Ionescu,​ who earned $6.3 million in the previous season, is widely regarded as one ‌of the league’s top talents. Although her shooting percentages saw a decline in 2024‌ compared to the prior year, she still ‍managed to have her most prolific scoring season​ to date, averaging 18.2 points per game.

### Draft Day Decisions

Ahead of the ⁢2025 WNBA draft, Van lith participated in a lively “start, bench, cut” ⁣segment where⁤ she had to choose between three legendary players: ‍Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark. In a ⁢nod to Taurasi’s veteran status, Van lith​ decided‌ to start with her, indicating, “Let’s pay homage to the legend. We’re going ⁣to start with Diana Taurasi.” She then controversially opted to⁢ bench Ionescu and cut Clark. Van Lith’s choices indicate a​ preference for seasoned⁢ players ⁢while acknowledging Clark’s immense talent, as she previously praised her during their collegiate matchups.

### upcoming Competition: van ⁤Lith vs. Clark

Fans will‌ not⁣ have to wait long to see the future showdown between Van Lith and Clark, as the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever are set to collide five times during the regular‌ season, with their much-anticipated opening match scheduled for May 17. Both players are expected to showcase their skills and compete fiercely, drawing significant attention from fans and analysts alike.### Conclusion

The anticipation surrounding Hailey Van lith’s debut season is palpable as she prepares to step into the WNBA spotlight. With a focus on refining her ⁢game ⁤and learning from the best, her journey is one to keep ⁤an ‍eye on in ⁣the coming months.

### Sources
– [El Decano](https://www.eldecano.es/hailey-van-lith-elige-los-instintos-de-tiro-de-un-jugador-de-6-3-millones-como-la-habilidad-que-mas-anhela/)