Hailey Van Lith is no stranger to the spotlight, but the road to success has been far from easy. After an impressive college basketball journey that included stops at Louisville and LSU, the star guard is now thriving at TCU. Yet, despite the accolades, Van Lith revealed a deeply personal battle she fought behind closed doors.
Following TCU’s NCAA Tournament victory over Louisville, Van Lith took a moment to share her struggles with mental health. In an emotional postgame interview, she spoke candidly about the challenges she faced while balancing the pressures of basketball and public scrutiny.
From Darkness To Light
Van Lith admitted that her rise to prominence came with a heavy cost. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Nick Girimonte, she revealed that her early exposure to media and social platforms left her struggling mentally.
Hailey Van Lith revealed she struggled with mental health issues due to early media and social media exposure. She admitted, “When I was younger and in college, I was suicidal, heavily medicated, and felt trapped. You would never know because I was having a ton of success on the court, but internally and in life in general, I was ready to be done.”
Hailey Van Lith talks about her mental health struggles throughout her college career, and how this year has been such a blessing for her.
— Nick Girimonte (@GirimonteNicky) March 24, 2025
Really powerful message worth watching from the TCU guard pic.twitter.com/AzNU4oLPQw
Her journey took a turn when she decided to transfer to TCU for her final collegiate season instead of turning pro. The move wasn’t just about basketball, it was about finding peace. Now averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, she is playing some of the best basketball of her career while embracing a renewed sense of purpose.
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“To come from that and do this is incredible,” Van Lith added. “I’ve been praying all year like, ‘God, I know you’ve given me this testimony to share it with the world and shed your light.’”
Her story powerfully reminds us of the importance of mental health awareness, especially in high-pressure environments like college athletics. As TCU prepares to face Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, Van Lith’s journey inspires beyond the game.
Also Read: Hailey Van Lith Reunites With Former LSU Teammate For Sweet NIL Deal
