After just one season at LSU, Hailey Van Lith is exploring her options and has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, marking her second venture into the portal after initially transferring from Louisville to LSU last year.
As the college basketball off-season heats up, Mississippi State emerges as a strong contender for her next move.
The connection to Mississippi State is notable as Sam Purcell, the head coach for the Bulldogs, previously worked as an assistant coach at Louisville where he coached Van Lith for two years. This past relationship could be a significant factor in her decision, considering the rapport and understanding they’ve built during their time together.
Van Lith spoke highly of Purcell when he was appointed head coach at Mississippi State in 2022. She expressed her close personal and professional bond with him, noting, “Yeah, he’s my guy, man. Everyone on the team knows that’s my coach. And we’re really close, and we have a great relationship. And he treats me like family. And he puts up with me when I want to work out all the time and rebounds for me and all that. I’m going to miss him a lot, but it’s his time, and he’s worked really hard for this, and he deserves this opportunity. I’ll clap for him, and I’ll keep up, and we’ll keep our relationship, but it’s time for him to take the next step.”
The interest from Mississippi State comes at a time when they are looking to strengthen their roster after a seventh-place finish in the conference in the 2023-24 season. Sports Illustrated has reported some “traction” regarding Van Lith potentially joining the Bulldogs, although her recruitment remains open with other programs also in consideration.
This developing story underscores the dynamic nature of college basketball’s transfer portal season, with Van Lith’s decision eagerly anticipated.
