Hailey Van Lith, selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Draft, ignited a controversy that cost her sponsors and intensified her rivalry with Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. During a “Start, Bench, Cut” game on the WNBA’s orange carpet, Van Lith chose to “start” Diana Taurasi, “bench” Sabrina Ionescu, and “cut” Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Her subsequent remarks about players having success “handed to them” were widely interpreted as a jab at Clark, prompting a fierce backlash. Reported by Daily Mail and Yardbarker, the incident has tarnished Van Lith’s debut and raised questions about professionalism in the WNBA.

The “Start, Bench, Cut” game, meant as lighthearted fun, put Van Lith in a tough spot. Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, was a defensible starter. Ionescu, a reigning champion and three-time All-Star, justified the bench role. But cutting Clark, who transformed the Fever from cellar-dwellers to playoff contenders in 2024, stunned fans. Clark’s resume—2024 Rookie of the Year, fastest to 100 three-pointers, and record-breaking ratings—made her an untouchable figure. Van Lith’s choice, paired with her comments implying Clark’s success was unearned, felt personal, rooted in their college history. Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Van Lith’s Louisville in 2023 and LSU in 2024, with Clark’s iconic “You Can’t See Me” gesture from 2023, later clarified as aimed at her coach, adding fuel.

Social media erupted. “HLV dead to me,” one fan posted on X, while another claimed Van Lith’s “disrespect” dated back to Clark’s freshman year. Analysts labeled her comments “jealousy in disguise,” noting Clark’s sold-out arenas and cultural impact. A WNBA veteran unfollowed Van Lith, tweeting, “Buckets, not smack talk, earn your spot.” The backlash wasn’t just online—reports surfaced that sponsors, wary of associating with controversy, pulled deals with Van Lith, though specific brands remain unconfirmed. Her college pedigree—Big 12 Player of the Year at TCU—couldn’t shield her from the perception she’d targeted the league’s biggest star.

Van Lith’s remarks contrasted sharply with her prior respect for Clark. In 2023, she texted Clark, “The media is dumb. I’m sorry,” defending her against misinterpretations of the “You Can’t See Me” gesture, per Bleacher Report. After Iowa’s 2024 Elite Eight win, Van Lith praised Clark’s 41-point performance, saying, “I love Caitlin and respect her game.” These contradictions fueled accusations of opportunism, as if Van Lith sought to leverage Clark’s fame for attention. Her reunion with Angel Reese, a known Clark rival, amplified the narrative of a Sky-Fever feud.

Clark, meanwhile, stayed silent, letting her game speak. In preseason, she dropped 28 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Van Lith, nursing a minor ankle injury, remained a backup behind Courtney Vandersloot, averaging six points in exhibitions. Memes mocked Van Lith as “watching while Clark played,” highlighting Clark’s historic rookie season: the first rookie triple-double, Player and Rookie of the Month honors, and a 50% three-point clip in recent games. Clark’s composure—signing autographs for kids while Van Lith faced scrutiny—cemented her as the WNBA’s darling.

The May 17, 2025, season opener, Sky vs. Fever, looms as a crucible. Van Lith, upgraded to probable despite her ankle, faces Clark in a nationally televised matchup. Every move will be dissected, especially after Clark’s 2024 dominance and Van Lith’s draft-night misstep. The Sky’s roster, bolstered by Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, offers Van Lith support, but her role as a backup point guard limits her impact against Clark, who thrives under pressure. Fans predict Clark will “drop a career high” on Van Lith, per X posts.

This saga underscores the WNBA’s challenge: balancing rivalries that drive viewership with professionalism that preserves its image. Van Lith’s talent is undeniable, but her draft-night comments, perceived as petty, alienated fans and sponsors. Clark’s silence and performance, conversely, reinforce her untouchable status. As Van Lith navigates her rookie season, she must learn that in the WNBA, respect is earned on the court, not through headlines. The opener will test whether she can back her words with buckets or remain overshadowed by Clark’s legacy.