Louisville Signs Hailey Van Lith to 2020 Class
November 16, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Van Lith is joined by Olivia Cochran, Merissah Russell and Ahlana Smith in the 2020 class.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville women's basketball head coach Jeff Walz and his staff announced on Saturday that they have signed Hailey Van Lith, a 5-foot-7 guard from Wenatchee, Wash., to their 2020 class.
The addition of Van Lith completes Louisville's 2020 class and she will be joined by Olivia Cochran, a 6-foot-3 forward from Columbus, Ga., Merissah Russell, a 5-foot-11 guard from Ottawa, Ontario, and Ahlana Smith, a 5-foot-9 guard from Charlotte, N.C., who all signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Hailey Van Lith, 5-7, Guard, Wenatchee, Wash. (Cashmere)
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Hailey Van Lith is a consensus top-10 player in the 2020 class and was a member of the U19 USA squad that won a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup in July. She has been a part of four USA gold medal teams (2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, 2018 Youth Olympic Games, 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup).
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She was named 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup MVP and 2018 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship MVP. She competed alongside Olivia Cochran in leading the USA to gold at the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and scored a tournament sixth-best 36 points over seven games.Â
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Van Lith is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the nation by Prospect Nation and No. 8 overall and the top guard by espnWÂ HoopGurlz. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington last season.
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She has also been named USA Today All-USA first team, All-USA Washington first team (2019), Naismith High School All-America honorable mention (2019), Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Class 1A MVP (2018, 2019), Washington State Class 1A Player of the Year (2018, 2019) and WIAA All-State Class 1A first team (2017, 2018, 2019).
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As a junior, she helped lead Cashmere to a 23-3 record and the Washington Class 1-A state semifinals. She averaged 34.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.9 assists a game. She has already scored more than 2,000 points in her high school career. She has set every major statistics record at Cashmere with one year to play, including single-game records for points (52) and 3-point field goals made (12).
She picked Louisville over Baylor.
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What they are saying about Hailey Van Lith
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"Hailey Van Lith is recognized as one of the top point guards in her class. She has been an integral part of USA Basketball and I enjoyed coaching her to a gold medal in this past year's U19 international competition. Hailey brings with her a unique skill set with a mamba mentality. There is no stage too big, nor a shot too difficult to pull off. She has a unique inner confidence and leadership skills well beyond her age. Hailey is purposeful and deliberate in her approach to the game and no doubt Cardinal fans will be lining up to watch her perform. – Jeff Walz, Louisville Head Coach
"A scoring point guard with flare to her game. Has excellent handles and creates in the open court. Drives and dishes for teammates. Scores at all three levels. She knows the game and directs traffic." – Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Service
"It has been a pleasure getting to coach Hailey the past three years. I have seen Hailey grow from a freshman to a very mature and responsible young woman. Her dedication is beyond description and she will always do more than what is required of her. Through her hard work, integrity and accountability, Hailey has earned my respect and the respect of the entire Cashmere Community. Few people possess the natural ability to be an effective leader as Hailey and she understands the human side of leadership. Her teammates automatically gravitate towards her and watching her interact with her teammates is always a pleasure. She is a team player and is always willing to help people around her. She is a team player and possesses the ability to work well with a variety of people. Hailey will have a positive influence on the University of Louisville." - Brent Darnell, Cashmere Head Coach
Recruiting Class Rankings at Louisville Under Jeff Walz (per espnW HoopGurlz/ESPN.com)
2020 - No. 5
2019 – No. 14
2018 – No. 13
2017 – No. 4
2016 – No. 6
2015 – No. 1
2014 – No. 8
2013 – NR
2012 – NR
2011 – No. 10
2010 – No. 5
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
The addition of Van Lith completes Louisville's 2020 class and she will be joined by Olivia Cochran, a 6-foot-3 forward from Columbus, Ga., Merissah Russell, a 5-foot-11 guard from Ottawa, Ontario, and Ahlana Smith, a 5-foot-9 guard from Charlotte, N.C., who all signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Hailey Van Lith, 5-7, Guard, Wenatchee, Wash. (Cashmere)
Â
Hailey Van Lith is a consensus top-10 player in the 2020 class and was a member of the U19 USA squad that won a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup in July. She has been a part of four USA gold medal teams (2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, 2018 Youth Olympic Games, 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup).
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She was named 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup MVP and 2018 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship MVP. She competed alongside Olivia Cochran in leading the USA to gold at the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and scored a tournament sixth-best 36 points over seven games.Â
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Van Lith is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the nation by Prospect Nation and No. 8 overall and the top guard by espnWÂ HoopGurlz. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington last season.
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She has also been named USA Today All-USA first team, All-USA Washington first team (2019), Naismith High School All-America honorable mention (2019), Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Class 1A MVP (2018, 2019), Washington State Class 1A Player of the Year (2018, 2019) and WIAA All-State Class 1A first team (2017, 2018, 2019).
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As a junior, she helped lead Cashmere to a 23-3 record and the Washington Class 1-A state semifinals. She averaged 34.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.9 assists a game. She has already scored more than 2,000 points in her high school career. She has set every major statistics record at Cashmere with one year to play, including single-game records for points (52) and 3-point field goals made (12).
She picked Louisville over Baylor.
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What they are saying about Hailey Van Lith
Â
"Hailey Van Lith is recognized as one of the top point guards in her class. She has been an integral part of USA Basketball and I enjoyed coaching her to a gold medal in this past year's U19 international competition. Hailey brings with her a unique skill set with a mamba mentality. There is no stage too big, nor a shot too difficult to pull off. She has a unique inner confidence and leadership skills well beyond her age. Hailey is purposeful and deliberate in her approach to the game and no doubt Cardinal fans will be lining up to watch her perform. – Jeff Walz, Louisville Head Coach
"A scoring point guard with flare to her game. Has excellent handles and creates in the open court. Drives and dishes for teammates. Scores at all three levels. She knows the game and directs traffic." – Harry Elifson, Preferred Athlete Scouting Service
"It has been a pleasure getting to coach Hailey the past three years. I have seen Hailey grow from a freshman to a very mature and responsible young woman. Her dedication is beyond description and she will always do more than what is required of her. Through her hard work, integrity and accountability, Hailey has earned my respect and the respect of the entire Cashmere Community. Few people possess the natural ability to be an effective leader as Hailey and she understands the human side of leadership. Her teammates automatically gravitate towards her and watching her interact with her teammates is always a pleasure. She is a team player and is always willing to help people around her. She is a team player and possesses the ability to work well with a variety of people. Hailey will have a positive influence on the University of Louisville." - Brent Darnell, Cashmere Head Coach
Recruiting Class Rankings at Louisville Under Jeff Walz (per espnW HoopGurlz/ESPN.com)
2020 - No. 5
2019 – No. 14
2018 – No. 13
2017 – No. 4
2016 – No. 6
2015 – No. 1
2014 – No. 8
2013 – NR
2012 – NR
2011 – No. 10
2010 – No. 5
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
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