During her time with the Louisville women's basketball team, Hailey Van Lith helped the Cardinals to three of the best seasons in program history, reaching the Elite Eight three times and the Final Four once.

But following a breakout individual statistical season in 2022-23, Van Lith was ready for a change, shocking the women's college basketball world when she entered the NCAA transfer portal. She shocked the world even more by joining defending champion LSU, coach Kim Mulkey and star Angel Reese, herself a transfer from Maryland.

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"It came down to my ability to be happy, and I had to put myself first," Van Lith an interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks in June. "I had done my part, I had sacrificed myself and given my all to that program. But at the end of the day, I just wasn't enjoying everyday life. It was a situation there where I chose that I deserve happiness.

"I know in my heart that I made the right decision for me and my family and for women's basketball in general," Van Lith said to Rooks. "I don't regret going to Louisville. I'm a much better player, and a much better person because of my experience there. But like I said, I've given myself the grace and the opportunity to find something better."

Van Lith nearly had an opportunity to match up against her former Cardinals team on Sunday, had it not been for a first-round upset by Middle Tennessee State. The Lady Raiders downed 6 seed Louisville 71-69 with a massive comeback on Friday, precluding what would have a meeting with her former team.

Regardless, Van Lith has been a major player in her first season with the Tigers (28-5, 13-3 SEC), who are entering the Women's NCAA Tournament a 3 seed — and one of the favorites to claim the national championship. She has averaged 12.3 points, 3.7 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game on 39% shooting.

As LSU looks to become the first repeat champion in women's basketball since UConn won four in a row from 2013-16, here's a look back at Van Lith's transfer from Louisville to play for the Tigers.

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Why did Hailey Van Lith transfer to LSU from Louisville?

Van Lith had great individual success with Louisville, especially coming off her impressive junior season: She averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals on 41% shooting for the Cardinals. The team also made it to the Elite Eight three times, including a trip to the Final Four during the 2021-22 season.

However, the 5-foot-7 point guard wanted to transfer somewhere she thought she had a better opportunity to win — and LSU needed a point guard following the graduation of point guard Alexis Morris. She entered the transfer portal on April 8 with a "do not contact" tag, meaning she had a short list of schools she would consider. Van Lith took a secret visit to LSU and did not visit anywhere else. She committed to the Tigers on April 27.

"I actually said that many times throughout the season, even when I didn't know I was transferring. I was like, 'Man I want to play on that team,' Van Lith said. "Just like the energy the coaches coach with, the energy coach Mulkey brings to the court, the energy the assistants bring to the court, the energy and attitude the girls play with.

"I think the culture of the team really drew me in. But then getting the chance to play for one of the best point guards ever in Coach Mulkey and learn from her is something that's really valuable to me. The fans here, like no other. I'm the type of player that loves to play in front of a big crowd and entertain."

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Kim Mulkey called out criticism of Hailey Van Lith

Van Lith struggled for part of the season to match her numbers from her career season with the Cardinals. But Mulkey had her back throughout the season. After a 26-point, seven-rebound, three-assist performance in a 75-60 win over the Tennesee Lady Vols, Mulkey called out the criticism surrounding her point guard.

"Hailey's taken a lot of criticism and it needs to stop," Mulkey said. "It needs to stop. She's learned a new position, she's on one of the top teams in the country and the defending national champions. She's having to play the point guard and today she moved to the off-guard."

Van Lith went from averaging around 17 shots a game with the Cardinals in 2022-23 to just over 10 shots with the Tigers. She did see her 3-point percentage rise from 29% to 35% and averaged a career-high in assists.

Hailey Van Lith high school

Before committing to Louisville, Van Lith attended Cashmere (Washington) High School. There, she averaged 32.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.2 steals per game in her senior season. Van Lith was honored as Washington Ms. Basketball, Washington Gatorade Player of the Year and The Seattle Times Player of the Year.

In her junior season, she averaged 34.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.9 assists, earning Washington Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Heading into her senior season, Van Lith developed a relationship with NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and served as a mentor for his daughter Gianna.

She also played softball for Cashmere as a center fielder and shortstop.

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Hailey Van Lith recruit ranking

Van Lith was ranked as the No. 1 guard in the 2020 recruiting class, per the ESPNw 100 rankings. She ranked as the No. 7 overall player behind only No. 1 Paige Bueckers (UConn); No. 2 Angel Reese (Maryland); No. 3 Cameron Brink (Stanford); No. 4 Caitlyn Clark (Iowa); No. 5 Kamilla Cardosa (Syracuse); No. 6 Diamond Johnson (Rutgers).

Hailey Van Lith picked Louisville over Kim Mulkey, Baylor as recruit

Of note: Despite eventually committing to play for Mulkey, Van Lith initially chose to play for Louisville over Mulkey, who was the coach at Baylor at the time. She instead joined 6-foot-1 forward Olivia Cochran, the No. 4 forward, as well as guards Merissah Russell and Ahlana Smith as part of the Louisville recruiting class.

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Hailey Van Lith stats

Here is a year-by-year look at Van Lith's stats, both at Louisville and with LSU.

• 2020-21: 11.2 points per game (42.9%), 5.2 rebounds per game, 1.2 steals per game, 2.1 assists per game

• 2021-22: 14.4 ppg (43.2%), 3.6 rpg, 1.2 spg

• 2022-23: 19.7 ppg (41.1%), 4.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 3.2 apg

• 2023-24: 12.3 ppg (39.6%), 2.4 rpg, 1.3 spg, 3.7 asp

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Why Hailey Van Lith transferred to LSU women's basketball from Louisville