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Hailey Van Lith identifies major issue WNBA must address amid talent boom originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Hailey Van Lith has experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to secure a lasting place in the WNBA. The Connecticut Sun guard believes expansion is necessary to ensure the league has enough opportunities for its growing pool of talent.
Van Lith addressed the future of the league during an appearance on the “House of Maher” podcast. She pointed to a simple problem: Talented players are entering professional basketball faster than current players are leaving it.
“The rate at which players are coming in is far exceeding the rate at which players are retiring,” Van Lith said. “Roster spots and money and team availability is so hard to come by. That’s why all the expansion proposals and teams have been so big the last couple years.”
Van Lith understands the uncertainty of the roster bubble better than most. The former first-round pick was waived by the Chicago Sky before the 2026 season and claimed by Connecticut two days later. The Sun waived her after nine games before eventually bringing her back on a developmental contract.
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She has averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 assists and one rebound across 14 appearances this season. Van Lith has also shot 45.2 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range, providing evidence that productive players can still struggle to find secure roster spots. The WNBA expanded to 15 teams with the additions of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo this season after the Golden State Valkyries entered the league in 2025. Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia are scheduled to join in the coming years.
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Van Lith credited Golden State with demonstrating what a new franchise can offer.
“The Valkyries kinda started it,” she said. “They showed that these teams are good investments. They are worth these owners investing into. It’s been good so far, but honestly expansion is so needed because we have so much talent coming in.”
That talent pipeline is not slowing down. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and Olivia Miles have already helped reshape the league, while college stars such as JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker and Sarah Strong could headline future draft classes.
Expansion creates more roster spots, but it can also extend the league’s reach into new markets and give fans more games to watch. Golden State’s early success has supplied a promising model. Van Lith’s path has been turbulent, but it also has given her a valuable perspective. As women’s basketball produces more WNBA-caliber players, the league must continue creating places for them to play.
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Who will win the race for the Premier League Golden Boot this season?
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Erling Haaland led the league for goals last season to claim the award for a third time in four seasons. A fourth success for the Norwegian would equal the record, but there are some top forwards aiming to outscore him.
Viktor Gyokeres was perhaps harshly criticised during his debut season at Arsenal. The Swedish striker scored 21 goals in 53 games for the Gunners, with a fine turn of form post-New Year helping lead Arsenal towards the Premier League title. Gyokeres’ game might not always be easy on the eye, but he certainly knows where the net is when chances arrive.
He scored 14 goals from 26 league starts for Arsenal last season, but sharing minutes with Kai Havertz could hinder his hopes.
Joao Pedro has been on fire for Chelsea in pre-season and is the only name on this list who comes into the season after a summer of rest.
Bizarrely overlooked by Brazil for the World Cup, Pedro has played in pre-season like he has a point to prove, scoring seven times. With Morgan Rogers increasing Chelsea’s creativity, Pedro could thrive.
Ollie Watkins has been one of the most reliable goalscorers in the Premier League at Aston Villa, scoring 15+ league goals in four straight seasons.
However, the 30-year-old has never breached 20 in a season. There have been only three Premier League seasons where the Golden Boot winners have scored under 20.
Igor Thiago was arguably the breakout star of the 2025/26 Premier League season, recovering from an ACL injury to shine. The Brazilian scored 22 goals, second only to Erling Haaland. There will be plenty curious to see if the 25-year-old can replicate that form.
Alexander Isak heads into the new season withe expectation on his shoulders. His first season at Liverpool did not work out as hoped, following a £125m British record move last summer.
No pre-season and a mid-campaign injury restricted Isak’s impact, as he scored only three league goals. Having scored 20+ in successive seasons at Newcastle before the move, there is pressure on Isak to deliver in a red shirt.
Barring injury, it’s tough to look past Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot. The Manchester City striker has scored 112 goals in 132 games in the Premier League and is, rightfully, the odds-on favourite. However, Pep Guardiola’s exit has created an element of uncertainty at Man City.
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