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FORT WORTH, Texas — Merissah Russell and Hailey Van Lith spent three years on the basketball court together as teammates.
At Louisville, they went to an Elite Eight game every year they were together and a Final Four in 2022. During that time, they became more than just teammates. They’re best friends.
“(She’s) probably going to be a bridesmaid at my wedding if I ever get married,” Van Lith said of Russell. “... We did go to a Final Four. That’s life-changing.”
But on Sunday, the two best friends will be on opposite benches when Russell and seventh-seeded Louisville take on Van Lith and second-seeded TCU at 6 p.m. (ESPN).
Their journeys to get to this point and what it would mean to get to the Sweet 16 with their respective squads couldn’t be more different.
Van Lith and Russell started as part of Louisville’s six-player recruiting class in 2020. Though Van Lith debuted as a starter and was the team’s third-leading scorer (11.2 points per game) as a freshman, Russell was more of a role player and averaged 6.8 minutes per game.
Over the next two seasons, Van Lith was Louisville’s leading scorer. She decided to transfer after earning her degree, leaving as the program’s 12th all-time leading scorer (1,553 points). She transferred to LSU in 2023, and her role changed. She was no longer the star player that she was at Louisville, as Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson occupied the spotlight. Still, Van Lith played an important role in helping the Tigers to an Elite Eight appearance with 11.6 points and 3.6 assists per game.
She almost had to face Russell in the Round of 32 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. But Russell’s senior season ended in heartbreak with Louisville losing in the first round for the first time under head coach Jeff Walz. Prior to the end of the 2023-24 season, Russell had earned her first two collegiate starts and averaged 5.1 points and 2.6 rebounds over 18.1 minutes per game.
Van Lith and Russell had another year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, once again, made different decisions for the 2024-25 season. Russell opted to end her career where she started, staying at Louisville. She enters Sunday’s game with 543 career points and 306 rebounds in 138 games played. In addition to basketball, Russell is working on her MBA and became the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
“I'm the child of two immigrants that don't really have a post-secondary education,” Russell said. “So, growing up, it was never an option for me not to get a post-secondary education. Obviously COVID was not a great time for the world, but it allowed us to have an opportunity to have another year. My parents were like, well, free master's. So, I'm doing my MBA right now, and it's amazing.”
In contrast, Van Lith chose to spend her final season at TCU.
"When I chose TCU, I was really looking for a system much like our system here: a ton of spacing, very unique personnel that opens up the floor for me where I can be a playmaker, what I do best,” she said. “But, also, a system that will challenge me to open up new parts of my game like I have with playing the 1 (position) a little bit.”
It’s been a successful venture: Van Lith leads the team in points (17.7) and assists — a career-high 5.4 per game — and helped the Horned Frogs make history with their first Big 12 Conference championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. They’ve never made a Sweet 16 appearance, though, which would be an added piece of history.
Louisville is accustomed to Sweet 16 appearances with seven in the last 10 years. The Cardinals will look to accomplish the feat this season with a freshman-heavy squad. Russell, who is averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game this season, has been a veteran leader for the group.
As much as Russell cherishes her friend, Van Lith is an opponent on the court.
“We wish her the best,” Russell said of Van Lith. “We're gonna prepare a great game plan. We have great coaches, probably the best in the country. We're excited to play another round. We've been to two Elite Eights and a Final Four. We've also seen a loss in the first round. So, we know how precious these moments are. We're just trying to enjoy every day and just kind of take it all in.”
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NCAA Tournament: Louisville basketball, Hailey Van Lith cross paths
Continue reading...
At Louisville, they went to an Elite Eight game every year they were together and a Final Four in 2022. During that time, they became more than just teammates. They’re best friends.
“(She’s) probably going to be a bridesmaid at my wedding if I ever get married,” Van Lith said of Russell. “... We did go to a Final Four. That’s life-changing.”
But on Sunday, the two best friends will be on opposite benches when Russell and seventh-seeded Louisville take on Van Lith and second-seeded TCU at 6 p.m. (ESPN).
Their journeys to get to this point and what it would mean to get to the Sweet 16 with their respective squads couldn’t be more different.
Van Lith and Russell started as part of Louisville’s six-player recruiting class in 2020. Though Van Lith debuted as a starter and was the team’s third-leading scorer (11.2 points per game) as a freshman, Russell was more of a role player and averaged 6.8 minutes per game.
Over the next two seasons, Van Lith was Louisville’s leading scorer. She decided to transfer after earning her degree, leaving as the program’s 12th all-time leading scorer (1,553 points). She transferred to LSU in 2023, and her role changed. She was no longer the star player that she was at Louisville, as Angel Reese and Flau'jae Johnson occupied the spotlight. Still, Van Lith played an important role in helping the Tigers to an Elite Eight appearance with 11.6 points and 3.6 assists per game.
She almost had to face Russell in the Round of 32 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. But Russell’s senior season ended in heartbreak with Louisville losing in the first round for the first time under head coach Jeff Walz. Prior to the end of the 2023-24 season, Russell had earned her first two collegiate starts and averaged 5.1 points and 2.6 rebounds over 18.1 minutes per game.
Van Lith and Russell had another year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, once again, made different decisions for the 2024-25 season. Russell opted to end her career where she started, staying at Louisville. She enters Sunday’s game with 543 career points and 306 rebounds in 138 games played. In addition to basketball, Russell is working on her MBA and became the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
“I'm the child of two immigrants that don't really have a post-secondary education,” Russell said. “So, growing up, it was never an option for me not to get a post-secondary education. Obviously COVID was not a great time for the world, but it allowed us to have an opportunity to have another year. My parents were like, well, free master's. So, I'm doing my MBA right now, and it's amazing.”
In contrast, Van Lith chose to spend her final season at TCU.
"When I chose TCU, I was really looking for a system much like our system here: a ton of spacing, very unique personnel that opens up the floor for me where I can be a playmaker, what I do best,” she said. “But, also, a system that will challenge me to open up new parts of my game like I have with playing the 1 (position) a little bit.”
It’s been a successful venture: Van Lith leads the team in points (17.7) and assists — a career-high 5.4 per game — and helped the Horned Frogs make history with their first Big 12 Conference championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. They’ve never made a Sweet 16 appearance, though, which would be an added piece of history.
Louisville is accustomed to Sweet 16 appearances with seven in the last 10 years. The Cardinals will look to accomplish the feat this season with a freshman-heavy squad. Russell, who is averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game this season, has been a veteran leader for the group.
As much as Russell cherishes her friend, Van Lith is an opponent on the court.
“We wish her the best,” Russell said of Van Lith. “We're gonna prepare a great game plan. We have great coaches, probably the best in the country. We're excited to play another round. We've been to two Elite Eights and a Final Four. We've also seen a loss in the first round. So, we know how precious these moments are. We're just trying to enjoy every day and just kind of take it all in.”
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NCAA Tournament: Louisville basketball, Hailey Van Lith cross paths
Continue reading...
