Hailey Van Lith's bench role explained by Sky coach after almost no minutes for rookie

Women's basketball fans likely expected Hailey Van Lith to play a key role even as a rookie for the Chicago Sky.

But in their opening loss to the Indiana Fever, the Sky only gave Van Lith four minutes, all in garbage time.

The lefty who spent time at Louisville, LSU and TCU in college was mostly resigned to watching as Caitlin Clark and the Fever handled the Sky.

Chicago coach Tyler Marsh explained the logic to reporters on Wednesday. The main key? Future Hall of Fame point guard Courtney Vandersloot.

The Sky see this as a chance to learn from 'Sloot before getting deeper into it with HVL.

"I think there's just as much value to sitting behind someone like a Courtney Vandersloot as there is being thrown into the fire in your first season as well," Marsh said. 

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The new coach had more to say, too.

"There are pluses and minuses to both, but I think for her, the opportunity to learn and to gain that experience and that knowledge from a Hall of Famer, it's something that you can't really put a price on, put into words," Marsh said. 

HVL must appreciate the chance to learn from Vandersloot.

She'd probably also like a bit more court time.

But it's early, and she'll get more chances to prove herself.

"To Hailey's credit, she's soaked in every amount of experience and opportunity, and knowledge from Courtney. And Courtney is being a willing participant in sharing that along with Hailey," Marsh said.

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