LSU women’s basketball player Hailey Van Lith tore into the officiating crew following Team USA’s disappointing loss to Spain in the semifinal of the Olympic women’s 3×3 basketball tournament.
Van Lith and the squad earned a bronze medal after defeating Canada in the third-place game, 16-13. This, after losing to Spain in disappointing fashion in the semifinal round, 16-18 in overtime.
The Horned Frogs point guard wasn’t in the good sportsmanship mode following the loss to Spain.
“This was 1,000% BS. Those refs wanted the U.S. to lose,” she said following the game. “They were flopping left and right. They are not that good. Great job, ladies, we know who should have won.”
Ouch. Tell us how you really feel, Hailey.
Van Lith poured in 8 points for Team USA in the semifinal game loss, then added another 6 in the bronze medal game, leading the team in both games.
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Hailey Van Lith Is ‘So Proud’
Following Team USA’s defeat of Canada to secure the bronze, Hailey Van Lith expressed how proud she was of having taken home a medal for her country.
“Winning a medal for your country just makes you super proud,” she said. “Even after the game, I got super emotional. There just aren’t enough words. You just feel so proud.”
“You’re just so thankful for your family and friends and everyone who cheered and supported you.”
Van Lith hinted that she’d like to return to the Olympic 3×3 team in 2028.
“If they will have me again at the next one [Olympics], I’ll be back,” she said.
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Kobe Bryant Comments
Aside from her controversial comments surrounding the refs, Hailey Van Lith also got a lot of heat for her take that Kobe Bryant would have been proud of her bronze medal performance.
“I think Kobe would be proud as heck of me for not letting us lose that last game,” she said.
She even mentioned the Black Mamba after the loss to Spain.
“It was a tough situation for us to win in, and we just didn’t soak it in… that’s the Kobe mentality,” said Van Lith. “Go out and win the next game.”
While she’s right about Bryant’s take on winning the next game, fans were quick to note that the Lakers legend probably wouldn’t have been thrilled with settling for bronze. And he more than likely would not have placed the blame on the refs for the loss.
“Kobe would’ve chucked that medal into the Seine River,” one fan joked on social media.
In the semifinal game against Spain, there was a slight disparity in free throws, something that could easily affect the outcome of a game typically won with less than 20 total points.
Sapin made 6 of 7 free throws, while the Americans were just 1 of 3 from the stripe. The United States had 11 team fouls called on them to just 6 for Spain.
A free throw by Spain’s Sandra Ygueravide ended the game in overtime.
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