Former TCU guard Hailey Van Lith has joined a number of athletes to dawn the swimsuit edition. People like Serena Williams and Venus Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, and Simone Biles are some of the notable names to partake in photoshoots for the publication’s special issue.
After Van Lith’s debut, numerous famous athletes weighed in to support the basketball star, including Cameron Brink and Livvy Dunne.
Taking a Look Back at The Athletes Featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
LA Sparks forward Brink commented on Hailey’s photos with one simple word, “Obsessed”.
Brink and Van Lith were teammates in the Paris 2024 Olympics, representing Team USA in women’s 3×3 basketball.
In addition to Brink, gymnast Dunne also shared her thoughts on the shoot; “Oh yeah.”
Dunne was featured in the magazine’s 2024 edition and has since returned in 2025.
Both Dunne and Van Lith are fifth-year seniors who share similar experiences. Dunne commented on the importance of the swimsuit edition and what it means for athletes to partake in the shoot.
“When people look at my Sports Illustrated photos, I want them to take away that you can have the best of both worlds — You can be an athlete. You can be in school. You can do modeling. You can have the best of both worlds, and you can be a strong, independent woman while doing it all.”
Sports Illustrated’s editor-in-chief MJ Day piggybacked on the gymnast’s comments.
“Last year, we featured Livvy the Division I athlete, highlighting her accolades as an all-academic and an all-star on the rise — This year, we are featuring Livvy as a well-established, industrious entrepreneur who continues to break barriers and forge an unforgettable path for herself and future generations of female athletes.”
This message holds true for athletes in both collegiate and professional sports. With NIL in full effect, athletes like Brink, Dunne, and Van Lith can branch out, expanding their brands in many places.
All three women have been featured in various photoshoots and have since been recognized for their talents outside of basketball.
Van Lith commented on her experience during the photo shoot, and what the word loyalty means to her.
“I am a loyal person, and I think some people laugh at me when I say that, because they’re like, ‘You’ve transferred twice… Loyalty begins with honoring yourself before you can truly honor other people. I think that sometimes my career puts ideas in people’s heads that I’m an individual [first and foremost], and that’s not the case.”
If people doubt her loyalty, there is one thing for sure, she is loyal to the game. Hailey always knew she was going to be a terrific athlete, almost as if it was her destiny. She was trained by her father and was mentored by legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant.
She owns the Mamba Mentality, utilizing it to block out distractions and negativity.
“My number one job is to make sure everyone is ready to do what needs to be done.”
Also Read: 5 Underrated Players in the 2025 WNBA Draft Class You Need To Know
The former Big 12 player of the year and WNBA prospect averaged 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists last year for the TCU Horned Frogs. She led the team to the Elite Eight for the first time in the program’s history. Her five Elite Eight appearances are the most in NCAA history, both men’s and women’s.
Whichever team drafts, the talented guard will get a committed player who is determined to continue showcasing her skills on and off the court.
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