Hailey Van Lith’s Marilyn Monroe confession steals WNBA Draft spotlight

Hailey Van Lith, the Chicago Sky’s newest star, is turning heads both on and off the court following her 2025 WNBA Draft selection. Picked No. 11 overall, the 23-year-old guard from Washington made a splash with a surprising revelation in Bustle’s inaugural Game Changers issue, published April 22. Van Lith, known for her fiery play at Louisville, LSU, and TCU, admitted she channels Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe for her red carpet looks, showcasing a glamorous side that’s got fans buzzing on X.

“When I’m on the red carpet, I love a good retro vintage look,” Van Lith shared, adding, “A lot of times I channel an inner Marilyn Monroe.” Her draft night outfit screamed old Hollywood-a sparkly black mini dress paired with sleek black heels, accentuating her legs.

The look, complete with side-swept voluminous curls, bold lips, and glowing skin, nailed Monroe’s timeless vibe. “It’s about that classic glam,” she told Bustle, hinting at her love for knitwear trends and fashion-forward choices beyond the court. Her 1.3 million Instagram followers ate it up, with one X post calling her “HVL serving Monroe realness.”

Van Lith’s WNBA arrival reunites her with former LSU teammate Angel Reese, a dynamic duo eager to elevate the Sky after a 13-27 season. “I believe our impact will be even greater than when we were teammates in college,” Van Lith said at her introductory press conference, radiating excitement. She averaged 17.9 points and 5.3 assists at TCU, earning Big 12 Player of the Year and leading the Horned Frogs to Elite Eight glory, a feat she also hit with Louisville and LSU. Her 2024 Olympic 3×3 bronze medal adds to her cred.

Van Lith’s WNBA debut sparked by Monroe glam reveal

The Monroe nod isn’t just style-it’s a glimpse into Van Lith’s confidence.She’s carried a fierce mentality since breaking Washington’s high school scoring record. “Deep in my heart, I wanted to come to the Sky,” she said, praising the team’s belief in her game and personality. Her draft slide to No. 11 sparked debate-ESPN’s Elle Duncan called Golden State’s pass at No. 5 a missed “splashy move”-but Van Lith sees Chicago as fate.

From upsetting Notre Dame to dazzling on the Orange Carpet, Van Lith’s blending hoops grit with Hollywood flair. Her boyfriend, NBA guard Jalen Suggs, cheered her draft moment, sporting her TCU jersey during their NCAA run. As she steps into the WNBA, Van Lith’s Monroe-inspired swagger is setting the stage for a breakout rookie season.