Image Via: prospectsnation.com
A record-breaking run at the women’s NCAA basketball championship has put all the spotlight on the LSU Tigers. With Angel Reese still eligible for another couple of seasons, the school will be attracting some talent for next season.
Image Via: washingtonpost.com
And the latest addition to the team is Haley Van Lith. Van Lith previously played for the Louisville Cardinals as the team’s point guard. A five-time gold medal winner for Team USA in 3x3 basketball as well as the U-17 and the U-19 World Cup, she will also enter her senior year in college this season.
Image Via: stateoflouisville.com
One of the best players available in the transfer portal will now be teaming up with one of the best players in the nation to help the Tigers repeat their success. Let’s take a look at how the two stars will co-exist on and off the court.
Image Via: justwomenssports.com
The Tigers will be defending champions this season and the chances of a repeat are looking pretty good for them. It’s safe to say Reese will once again be the leader of the team as she led the team in scoring, rebounding, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage, and finishing third in assists.
Image Via: si.com
However, with the no.1 and no.2 ranked transfers joining the team, the rest of the starting line-up could see some changes. Van Lith averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 41.1% from the field last season as a member of the Louisville Cardinals.
Image Via: pinterest.com
While former DePaul Blue Demons forward Aneesah Morrow is the new addition to the front court there are set to be at least two changes to the starting line-up. Morrow averaged 25.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.5% from the field last season as a member of the DePaul Blue Demons. She was named a third-team All-American.
Image Via: depauliaonline.com
SEC Freshman of the Year Flau’jae Johnson will return as the combo guard for the team. Johnson averaged 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field as a freshman. She was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Image Via: CBSSports.com
While it’s unclear if Angel Reese and Haley Van Lith are friends off the court, the reigning national champion expressed her excitement to have Van Lith on board for next season through her Instagram. They both ranked fifth and sixth in points scored last season while Aneesah Morrow ranked fourth. It’s safe to assume that putting three players this good on the court together is a winning formula.
Image Via: fanbuzz.com
Apart from the transfer portal, the Tigers have also recruited very well. This year’s recruitment class contains MiKaylah Williams, Aalyah Del Rosario, Angelica Velez, and Janae Kent. They ranked second, seventh, 44th, and 73rd in the class, respectively. With Jada Richard, the number one prospect in the nation also choosing LSU, the Tigers are not only well-equipped to win now, but also set for the foreseeable future.
Image Via: si.com
Then again, the decision to bring Van Lith and Morrow on board wouldn’t have been taken if their relationship off the court wasn’t at least somewhat good. LSU has tremendous talent on the court once again and will be heavy favorites to go all the way in the 2023-24 season.
Image Via: chicagotribune.com