After just one season, Hailey Van Lith has decided to seek new opportunities for the 2024 season.

Although the college basketball season has concluded, the transfer portal season is in full swing, with no signs of slowing down. Van Lith officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal last Thursday after completing a single season in Baton Rouge. This marks her second time entering the portal, having previously transferred from the Louisville Cardinals to LSU last year.

Now, a prominent contender has emerged vying for her talents.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have set their sights on recruiting the former standout from LSU and Louisville to join their program and complete her collegiate career there. This move seems fitting, given that Sam Purcell, who spent eight years as an assistant at Louisville, was appointed as the ninth head coach in Mississippi State women’s basketball history in 2022.

Having played under Purcell for two years, Van Lith already has an established relationship and familiarity with him.

“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

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.