“Been carrying”- TCU star Hailey Van Lith draws praise from fans over electrifying performance at 2024 Olympics
Hailey Van Lith, the star of the TCU Horned Frogs women's basketball team, is currently representing Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games. She did not make the main women's basketball team, but was selected for the women's 3x3 team.
The team struggled early in tournament play, but have recently improved, and are now in contention for a medal.
Here is how fans of social media reacted to this change in form aided by one of the rising stars of women's college basketball:
"HVL been cookin" said this fan
"HVL has been carrying" said another fan
"Thank you HVL" wrote a third fan
However, one fan expressed skepticism over the impact that Hailey Van Lith has had on the team:
"easiest way to tell you aren’t watching a lick. she’s the reason they’re almost losing 😭" wrote the fan
These fans are hopeful that the United States team will be able to win gold, despite their poor start:
"Comeback story brewing. Gold incoming." wrote one fan
"Miracle run" wrote another fan
"They are on the comeback!" wrote a third fan
"About time they hit their stride after ROUGH start!" wrote another fan
Finally, these fans are confused about why 3x3 basketball is an Olympic sport, and why the United States is struggling:
"Haven’t watched, but I’m surprised other countries WBB teams are beating us like that" wrote this fan
"While both the men's and women's U.S. five-on-five basketball teams are undefeated, the 3×3 teams have gotten off to less-than-ideal starts. What’s the future for the sport in the USA?" said another fan
"When the hell did 3 on 3 become an Olympic sport? I played a lot of 3 on 3 in the Hoop It up days. Never considered it a legit sport. More street basketball than a legit sport" asked a third fan
Can Hailey Van Lith win Olympic gold?
The United States lost the first three games of the 3x3 women's basketball tournament at the 2024 Olympics. Reports from the media and fans targeted Van Lith; however, she has improved and helped Team USA to three consecutive wins, which has kept them in contention for the gold medal.
Van Lith performs well under pressure, having led the US to the 2023 3x3 World Cup title. Her prior performance is proof that they can come back from their poor start and win an Olympic gold medal.