LSU women’s basketball: breaking down the Tigers’ newest stars

Is it possible for things to get better for a program AFTER winning the national championship? LSU women’s basketball might have found a way to do precisely that. In large part, thanks to their national championship victory, the Tigers’ recruiting took off. Not only do they have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, but they also picked up the No. 1 transfer portal class led by stars Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow.

LSU women’s basketball: Hailey Van Lith keeps the Tigers rolling

Regarding women’s basketball, it’s hard to find a name and a personality bigger than center Angel Reese. She was an absolute star in her first season with the LSU women’s basketball program. She was named First Team All-SEC, First Team All-American and the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Not to mention on the year, she averaged 23.0 points and a whopping 15.4 rebounds per game.

The idea of pairing her up with one of the best guards in women’s college basketball seems too good to be true. Right? Well, those thoughts didn’t last long as rumors began to spread that Hailey Van Lith would soon be an LSU Tiger.

Hailey Van Lith in her new threads 🙌

(via @LSUwbkb)pic.twitter.com/RCFf9x2Ztr

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2023

In 2022 Van Lith recorded 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She did it all for Louisville women’s basketball and earned All-American standing because of it. That’s why it was so shocking when she hit the transfer portal.

Not only is Van Lith, an elite basketball player, but she also happens to fill a hole on the LSU women’s basketball roster. Guard Alexis Morris was drafted into the WNBA this offseason, leaving a sizable hole at the guard position. With Van Lith in the mix, guard immediately becomes a strength for the team.

Aneesah Morrow joins the party

When it rains, it pours, but in this case, it happens to be raining purple and gold confetti. Exactly one week following the commitment of Hailey Van Lith, the Tigers received even more good news. They received not only a commitment from the No. 1 player in the transfer portal but also the No. 2 player, with Aneesah Morrow choosing LSU women’s basketball.

#24 New Home💛💜.
COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/odeWNYz3OK

— Aneesah Morrow (@AneesahMorrow24) May 5, 2023

The scariest part about all of this is that Morrow could have easily been the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. She and Van Lith are each elite in their own right and do very different things on the basketball court.

Last season as a part of the DePaul women’s basketball team, Morrow recorded 25.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. She is a scoring, rebounding and defending machine and will likely thrive in the SEC. She’s that good. Pairing Morrow up with Angel Reese down low is a combo I’m not sure the rest of the country is ready for.

With Hailey Van Lith, Aneesah Morrow, Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson and the No. 1 recruiting class in the country on the roster next year, LSU women’s basketball is looking scary. Heading into next season, the Tigers are favorites to repeat as national champions, and deservingly so.

I’ll leave it at this: 2023 should be a thrilling year in the world of women’s college basketball.

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