Hailey Van Lith has had a slow start to her time with the LSU Tigers since transferring from Louisville, and head coach Kim Mulkey has voiced what needs to happen for her to build off her success Sunday against Florida.
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"These young kids, they read too much crap."@LSUwbkb @KimMulkey says Hailey Van Lith tries to please everyone.
"She wants everybody to like her. Well welcome to the real world Hailey, it doesn't work that way. Be you. Do you." #LSU pic.twitter.com/PPpyAvuSTx
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) February 4, 2024
Before we dig into Mulkey's comments, let's touch on Van Lith's time at LSU.
On Sunday, Van Lith played 27 minutes, scoring a season-high 21 points and grabbing seven rebounds. She's averaged 11.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season while shooting 41% from the floor.
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📺SECN | @haileyvanlith pic.twitter.com/xHUGryJ2kt
— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) February 4, 2024
Last season with Louisville, she averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 37 of those contests.
During a press conference, Van Lith mentioned she transferred to a "better team" with LSU and wanted to be pushed more there.
Hailey Van Lith says she transferred to a “better team” and she went to LSU to be pushed more
— State of Louisville (@thestateoflou) February 5, 2024
From there, Mulkey voiced how she was proud of Van Lith, especially since she's being herself and focusing more on things she can control instead of what everyone else is saying.
"These young kids, they read too much crap," Mulkey said. "She wants everybody to like her. Well, welcome to the real world, Hailey. It doesn't work that way. Be you. Do you."
Fans on X reacted positively to Mulkey's analysis of the situation.
She’s right, they do read too much into what people say about them. But I think Halie made a statement this afternoon. And she was Great 👍 🏀😎❤️
— Dennis (@V5BatonRouge) February 4, 2024
"She's right, they do read too much into what people say about them," someone said. "But I think Halie made a statement this afternoon. And she was Great."
She's right. Not everyone will like you and that's their problem, not yours. Be kind, be you, and don't take any 💩.
— GeauxGirlLSU🐅🏴☠️💫 (@GeauxGirl_LSU) February 5, 2024
"She's right," another user wrote. "Not everyone will like you and that's their problem, not yours. Be kind, be you, and don't take any."
Just had this talk this morning. Be you do you. Pay attention to the ones who care. You know what I say about the ones who don’t. 😃 https://t.co/IIQJsnbfEJ
— 🅱️ayou_Training (@BayouTraining) February 5, 2024
"Just had this talk this morning," another user wrote. "Be you do you. Pay attention to the ones who care. You know what I say about the ones who don't."
With their win over Florida, the Tigers are now 20-4. Their next game is Thursday on the road against Vanderbilt.
