“I’m just forever grateful. I just knew if we could land her, she would thrive in our culture, thrive in our system,” the TCU head coach said of Hailey Van Lith just a few days ago. Fast forward to March 2025, and Campbell’s vision has come to life. The final buzzer against Baylor didn’t just signal the end of a game—it announced the dawn of a new era. TCU had done the unthinkable, capturing its first-ever Big 12 regular-season championship. In a league ruled by blue-blood programs, the Horned Frogs refused to be overlooked. And at the heart of their meteoric rise? Hailey Van Lith.
Her arrival in Fort Worth didn’t just boost TCU—it transformed them. From unranked in week 1 to No. 10 in week 17 of the AP Poll, from afterthoughts to title-winners, Van Lith’s presence turned the program’s trajectory upside down. Analyst Rachel Galligan summed it up best in a viral post on X: “TCU WINS THEIR FIRST EVER @Big12Conference REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!! This is their first conference title since 2005 (C-USA).”
TCU WINS THEIR FIRST EVER @Big12Conference REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!
This is their first conference title since 2005 (C-USA)
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) March 3, 2025
Coach Campbell is now 44–15 (.746) for TCU, and it wouldn’t have been possible if not for the contributions of Van Lith. Hence, it was no surprise when fans wasted no time celebrating the program’s new superstar.
Fans erupt as HVL transforms TCU: ‘She Built This!‘
“Shout out to the GOAT HVL!” one fan declared.
The journey here was anything but typical for Van Lith. After a year at LSU, which was aimed at broadening her skill set, she made the bold choice to transfer to TCU in 2024. It’s a decision that has already cemented itself as historic. Even LSU head coach Kim Mulkey had acknowledged the move, stating, “Her aspirations were to get drafted this year. And she realized, ‘I need another year, and I need to go back to a place where I can relax and get back to my normal position.’”
That “normal position”? Relentless scorer. Ruthless competitor. Game-changer.
credit:https://gofrogs.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/hailey-van-lith/16493
Another chimed in: “The shot of Red Bull HVL has given this team. Amazing.”
Indeed. Her credentials are undeniable: Olympic 3×3 bronze medalist, seven-time FIBA medalist (five golds), and the only active Division I player with at least 1,900 career points, 500 rebounds, and 350 assists. This season alone, she’s averaged 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field. But more than stats, it’s her impact that has reshaped the Horned Frogs.
“She has no chill,” Campbell said of Van Lith. “She’s the ultimate competitor in everything she does—in her grind, in her preparation. We have a pro that’s still in college.”
Her presence was crucial in TCU’s gritty 51-48 win over No. 17 Baylor to clinch the Big 12 crown. Sedona Prince dominated with 16 points and 19 rebounds, while Van Lith added 14 points, including clutch free throws in the final moments. Their defense suffocated Baylor, holding them to just 27.7% shooting. The win not only snapped the Bears’ nine-game streak, but it also marked TCU’s first-ever regular-season sweep of Baylor—a feat previously unimaginable.
Noticing Van Lith’s impact on TCU, one fan proudly claimed, “SHE BUILT THIS,”.
And, rightfully so, as Before Van Lith and Campbell’s arrival, TCU had a brutal 7-47 Big 12 record over three seasons. This year, they finished 28-3 overall and 16-2 in conference play, tying Arkansas State for the biggest single-season improvement in the nation.
WNBA legend Sue Bird even took notice of TCU’s rise in December of 2024, giving Van Lith her flowers on the Touch More podcast. “The other surprise is TCU. Starting unranked, they go, and they beat NC State and then they also just beat Notre Dame. You’ve got a Hailey Van Lith resurgence, a Sedona Prince resurgence… I think those two have really led the way,” Bird said.
The fans agree. They even added another star in the mix, saying, “MADISON CONNER/HVL ARE THEM!!” highlighting the duo’s offensive firepower despite a quieter night from Conner (7 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds). TCU is no longer just another team in the Big 12. They’re contenders. They’re winners. With the conference tournament approaching, the Horned Frogs are proving that their story is just getting started.
As the postseason looms, one thing is clear: Hailey Van Lith hasn’t just lifted TCU—she’s changed its destiny. And the basketball world can’t look away.
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