Women’s college basketball star Hailey Van Lith is opening up in a rare moment about support from NBA player Jalen Suggs.
Upon being selected as the No. 11 overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky on April 14, Van Lith shared an emotional embrace with her family, as well as a kiss with Suggs after heading off stage.
The former Texas Christian University star opened up to TODAY.com in an interview about the depth of her bond with Suggs and their close relationship.
“I brought a lot of blood family (to the draft), but Jalen is the closest thing out there that I would think of as my family that isn’t blood,” Van Lith says after being selected Monday night New York City.
“He really challenges my perspective on things, and that’s what you ask for in a relationship, someone that you can continually grow with,” she continues.
Hailey Van Lith arrives at the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14 in NYC.Cindy Ord / Getty Images
“He’s an NBA player that’s a millionaire,” Van Lith says. “He doesn’t have to care or show as much compassion for me as he does… He’ll go on a food run for me, he’ll take my clothes back to my stylist. He is so humble.”
Van Lith praised Suggs’ “maturity,” explaining that he’s challenged her to see negative comments “in a different way, to take it as something to embrace or to just let it go.”
Despite rehabbing his season-ending knee surgery, Suggs showed up to support Van Lith publicly on draft night, proudly recording her on-stage interview on his phone.
Speaking with NBA TV, Suggs beamed when talking about Van Lith after she was picked, saying, “My heart’s happy.”
“Anytime you get to see people accomplish their dreams, it brings a certain level of joy and excitement. But when it’s your people, I think it brings it to another level,” he said.
NBA star Jalen Suggs showed up to support Van Lith on her big night.Cole Burston / Getty Images
When asked about Van Lith’s competitive nature, Suggs joked that she “talks trash” to him all the time.
“We go play bowling, playing card games, board games, puzzles, whatever, she’s talking smack to me. I feel bad for the girls who actually got to play against her,” he added.
Suggs frequently supports Van Lith, publicly cheering her on alongside Van Lith’s dad, Corey Van Lith, during the 2025 NCAA women’s college basketball tournament. At one point, two chest bumped during the Sweet 16, celebrating one of the former TCU guard’s 3-pointers.
Hailey Van Lith poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 11th overall pick by the Chicago Sky during the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14 in NYC.Elsa / Getty Images
Aside from Suggs, Van Lith discussed the emotional reaction to being drafted, when she immediately hugged her parents.
The morning of the draft, Van Lith received a voicemail from her dad expressing his love while getting choked up at the end. The draftee tells TODAY.com she heard the voicemail in an emotional moment when she was getting hair and makeup done for the draft.
“As soon as the voicemail part of him talking to me and his voice started playing, I immediately felt my eyes well up a little bit,” she recalls. “I told the girls to get tissues.”
Hailey Van Lith reacts to being selected with the 11th overall pick by the Chicago Sky during the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14 in NYC.Elsa / Getty Images
“My dad has been right next to me through every step, and he has never let me give up,” Van Lith continues, describing phone calls with her dad where she doubted her ability to go pro in basketball.
He wouldn’t accept that.
“He never let me give in to that temptation. He continually spoke life into me and built me up,” Van Lith says of her dad. “He stood on business with me and would tell other people, ‘Hailey’s going to show you guys what she’s made of,’ even when I wasn’t showing people yet.”
