Women’s Basketball: TCU guard Hailey Van Lith named Big 12 Preseason Co-Newcomer of the Year

The US Olympian was also named to the Preseason All-Conference Team as the Horned Frogs were picked 4th in the league

TCU Women’s Basketball is preparing for another big step forward in the 2024-25 season and looking for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, having built a roster that is expected to be a contender in the deep Big 12 this year. The Big 12 released its preseason poll and awards on Thursday, as voted on by the league’s coaches. The Horned Frogs were projected to finish 4th after finishing 9th during a roller coaster 2023-24 campaign. The Frogs slot in behind Kansas State, Iowa State, and Baylor in the conference projections, each of which reached at least the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament last season. TCU has not finished that high in a complete season of Big 12 play since a tie for 3rd in 2014-15.

Along with the preseason poll, the Big 12 announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and conference awards. TCU guard Hailey Van Lith is fresh off winning a 3×3 medal in Paris during the Summer Olympics and has been named as the Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Year, splitting the honor with Baylor’s Aaronette Vonleh. Former LSU Tiger and Louisville Cardinal Van Lith was also selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team has averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game through her four collegiate seasons.

The Horned Frogs begin the 2024-25 season in one month, opening with Houston Christian on Tuesday November 5 at 6:30 PM in Schollmaier Arena. TCU will open its Big 12 slate on December 21 in Orlando vs. the UCF Knights.