Cashmere's Hailey Van Lith Shines In Women's Basketball

North Central Washington region produces remarkable talent across sports, music, and entertainment

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Wenatchee and Cashmere areas of North Central Washington are home to celebrated figures like actor Rainn Wilson and basketball star Hailey Van Lith, showcasing the remarkable impact local talent has had on culture and sports. Van Lith, a standout from Cashmere, became one of the most famous names in women's college basketball and is now a recent first-round draft pick with the Chicago Sky of the WNBA.

Why it matters

This region of Washington, often overlooked compared to the Seattle area, has produced an impressive array of talent across various industries, from sports and entertainment to music and activism. The stories of these individuals serve as a reminder that greatness can bloom in quieter, more rural parts of the state.

The details

Hailey Van Lith, a basketball player from Cashmere, Washington, has risen to become one of the most prominent names in women's college basketball. After starring at LSU and TCU, she was recently selected in the first round of the WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky. Van Lith's success is part of a broader trend of remarkable talent emerging from the North Central Washington region, which has also produced notable figures like actor Rainn Wilson, musician Chris DeGarmo, and cyclist Tyler Farrar.

  • Hailey Van Lith was recently selected in the first round of the 2023 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky.

The players

Hailey Van Lith

A standout basketball star from Cashmere who became one of the most famous names in women's college basketball (LSU/TCU), an Olympic 3x3 medalist, and a recent first-round draft pick with the Chicago Sky of the WNBA.

Rainn Wilson

Best known as Dwight Schrute on The Office, Wilson's father, Robert G. Wilson (a novelist, painter, business consultant, and resident of East Wenatchee), died in August 2020 at age 78 from complications related to advanced heart disease. Rainn still visits his mom in East Wenatchee from time to time.

Chris DeGarmo

Native of Wenatchee and the founding guitarist/primary songwriter for the progressive metal band Queensrÿche.

Tyler Farrar

This Wenatchee High School graduate is one of the most successful American sprinters in cycling history, winning stages in the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights the remarkable talent that has emerged from the North Central Washington region, showcasing the ability of individuals from smaller, often overlooked communities to make a significant impact on sports, entertainment, and culture. The stories of these individuals serve as an inspiration and a reminder that greatness can bloom in unexpected places.