Hailey Van Lith wasted no time in recognizing that her talents belonged elsewhere after just one season. With the college basketball season over, the transfer portal is buzzing, and Van Lith made her move by entering it last Thursday. This isn’t her first time navigating the transfer process; she left the Louisville Cardinals to join LSU last year.

LSU women's team loses starting guard to transfer portal | Yardbarker

Now, a prime candidate has emerged to secure her talents.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have set their sights on the former standout from LSU and Louisville to bolster their program for the upcoming seasons. This potential move makes perfect sense, considering Sam Purcell’s appointment as the head coach of Mississippi State women’s basketball in 2022. Purcell had previously served as an assistant at Louisville for eight years.

Having played under Purcell’s guidance for two years, Van Lith already has an established relationship and familiarity with the coach, which could greatly influence her decision to join the Bulldogs.

“Yeah, he’s my guy, man. Everyone on the team knows that’s my coach. And we’re really close, and we have a great relationship. And he treats me like family. And he puts up with me when I want to work out all the time and rebounds for me and all that.

I’m going to miss him a lot, but it’s his time, and he’s worked really hard for this, and he deserves this opportunity. I’ll clap for him, and I’ll keep up, and we’ll keep our relationship, but it’s time for him to take the next step.”

The Mississippi State Bulldogs Want Hailey Van Lith

LSU's Hailey Van Lith enters transfer portal after 1 season with Tigers: reports | Fox News

There has been major buzz that Van Lith might be taking her talents to Mississippi State. Sports Illustrated reported that, after speaking with those familiar with her recruitment, there does appear to be some level of “traction” here.

The report made it clear that it is not set in stone due to several other programs being linked to Hailey Van Lith.

There is no secret as to why Mississippi State would want her as head coach. Sam Purcell was an assistant coach at Louisville during Van Lith’s stint with the Cardinals, and the program would love to improve after finishing seventh in the conference during the 2023-24 season.