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Connecticut Sun Claim Waiver Guard Hailey Van Lith, Griner Applauds

5/7/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sun Claims VanLith

Connecticut Sun claimed guard Hailey Van Lith off waivers on May 6, 2026.
Chicago Sky waived Van Lith citing a style-of-play preference and filled the roster spot with veteran guard Natasha Cloud.
Van Lith played 29 games for Chicago last season, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 16.1% from three.
Veteran center Brittney Griner praised Van Lith in a public Threads message after the claim.

Summary

Sun Signs VanLith

Connecticut signed Van Lith to fill the point-guard void until Leila Lacan arrives on May 16.
Shey Peddy missed both preseason games with a lower-left leg injury, forcing early reliance on Van Lith.
Connecticut added Duke guard Ashlon Jackson on a developmental contract that allows up to 12 games without a cap hit.
The Sun must cut two of its 14 players by 5 p.m. Thursday to satisfy the 12-woman roster limit.

Summary

VanLith Scores

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale accepted a salary below the WNBA super-max level this season and explained her reasons to the media.
On April 25, Hailey Van Lith scored 20 points against the Phoenix Mercury, shooting a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor.
The team opens the 2026 season on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.

History

Historical Context

Since the WNBA’s 1997 launch, teams were confined to a 12-player roster and a $75,000 team salary cap, a rule that helped the Houston Comets dominate with Cynthia Cooper. A 2014 CBA restored the 12-player limit after a brief reduction, so the Connecticut Sun’s 2024 claims of Hailey Van Lith and Ashlon Jackson echo the league’s original roster-size constraints.

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Sun Claims VanLith

Connecticut Sun claimed guard Hailey Van Lith off waivers on May 6, 2026.
Chicago Sky waived Van Lith citing a style-of-play preference and filled the roster spot with veteran guard Natasha Cloud.
Van Lith played 29 games for Chicago last season, averaging 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 16.1% from three.
Veteran center Brittney Griner praised Van Lith in a public Threads message after the claim.

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