“You don't see many players do that”: When Kim Mulkey talked about Hailey Van Lith’s “leap of faith”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey had nothing but praise for senior guard Hailey Van Lith despite the Tigers' tough 94-87 loss to Iowa in the NCAA tournament last year. Van Lith had a disappointing season with LSU, a sharp contrast to her stellar performances at Louisville.

Following a challenging campaign which drew criticism, there was speculation the loss to Iowa was Van Lith's last game for the Tigers. However, Mulkey said she hoped it was not at the time.

"I hope it's not her last game. But if it is, I'm proud to have been her coach for a year."

On the criticism against Van Lith, Mulkey defended her senior guard and compared her situation with what happens with many college athletes.

"You go through a period you can't have, you know these players for long periods of time. They are selfish. They are going to take care of themselves. Look, everybody is different and they've got to do what they have to do."

Mulkey also reminded everyone that Van Lith took “a leap of faith” to leave her comfort zone in Louisville and join LSU.

“Hailey Van Lith came to LSU after being an abundant shooter. Shot it a lot at Louisville. Had great success. Was on good teams. She graduated in three years with a finance degree."

“She wanted to experience all the things I guess she saw from afar with our championship last year. For her to take that leap of faith and leave her comfort zone at Louisville, you don't see many players do that when she was that big a piece to their puzzle."

Kim Mulkey is indebted to Hailey Van Lith for her unselfish play at LSU

Van Lith joined the Tigers, looking to help the defending champions win a second consecutive title. While the Washington native was exclusively a shooting guard at Louisville, she transitioned to being more of a combo guard at LSU due to the Tiger’s stacked back court.

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel - Source: Imagn

Despite falling short of expectations, Mulkey did not forget to give the fourth-year guard her flowers. She extended her gratitude to Van Lith for her unselfish play which included taking a new position and taking less shots during her time at LSU.

"She has embraced learning a new position, taking less shots. Our last game against UCLA, I thought her stats were very good, but I'm an old point guard, and I see all that."

"I am forever indebted to Hailey and her unselfish play to come to LSU to play with a lot of great players and learn a new position."

Van Lith has since transferred to TCU Horned frogs where she is having a stellar season. She reached a career-high 27 points after helping the horned frogs defeat Idaho State 86-46 on Sunday.