“I rebuke you”: TCU’s Hailey Van Lith gives animated reaction after Madison Connor beats her at a fun challenge
Hailey Van Lith showed off her competitive side in a fun challenge with her new teammate Madison Conner earlier Wednesday. The Paris Olympics 3x3 basketball bronze medalist represented the Horned Frogs alongside Conner and 6-foot-7 center Sedona Prince at Big 12 media day, during which she took on Conner to determine who was fastest at removing the peels of an orange.
Conner beat Van Lith with ease, acing the challenge in just seven seconds. Van Lith, who took 19 seconds, was stunned by Conner's skills, giving an animated reaction to her new backcourt partner.
"No, what the heck!" Van Lith exclaimed. "That's actually, like, sorcery. I rebuke you, in the name of Jesus."
Hailey Van Lith becomes top top-rated transfer this season
After three seasons with the Louisville Cardinals, Hailey Van Lith transferred to the LSU Tigers and emerged as one of the program's top performers last season. In 33 starts, Van Lith averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists, helping the Tigers make the Elite Eight in March Madness.
She also shined for the nation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leading Team USA to a bronze medal in the women's 3x3 basketball event alongside Cierra Burdick and Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard.
Following her success in Baton Rouge, Van Lith chose to take her talents to Fort Worth for her final season of eligibility instead of declaring for this year's WNBA draft. She was rated the top transfer in the nation by ESPN, highlighting the Horned Frogs' ambition for the 2024-25 season.
The Horned Frogs also got a boost by signing USC transfer Taylor Bigby, who was the 29th overall prospect in the Class of 2021.
Mark Campbell endured a difficult debut season as the Horned Frogs' coach. They finished ninth in the Big 12 regular season with a 6-12 conference record and went 21-12 overall, extending their postseason drought to 14 years.
The addition of Van Lith looks set to increase the program's chances of ending that drought in 2025, as she will look to make a strong case for herself before the WNBA draft. The Horned Frogs will begin the 2024-25 season with a home game against the Houston Christian Huskies on Nov. 5.