By now, if you’ve been anywhere near a court, a TikTok scroll, or a news cycle that isn’t obsessed with men’s sports, you’ve probably seen the photos: Hailey Van Lith, standing powerful, poised, and unapologetically herself in the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Not just any photoshoot—this was her digital cover moment. And it was more than a model gig. It was a statement.
Because let’s be honest. There’s still this weird, persistent belief that female athletes have to pick a lane. You can be strong or sexy. You can ball out or be beautiful. You can be fierce or feminine. But Hailey Van Lith just sprinted straight through all those limitations in a pair of beach-ready heels and a whole lot of self-awareness.
And we love her for it.
More Than Just the Fit Check
The images are stunning, of course. Shot under the Miami sun, Van Lith wears everything from metallic bikinis to mesh cutouts, flexing not just her physique but her presence. But what elevates this shoot above your average influencer thirst trap or celebrity campaign is the fact that Van Lith brings intention to every frame.
“I wanted to show that you can be powerful and athletic and still embrace your femininity,” she told SI. “That strength comes in many forms.”
That’s the line that hits hardest. Because Hailey didn’t just train for her jump shot—she trained for this moment. For years, the 5’7” guard with the ice-cold crossover has been carving out her place in the sport, first at Louisville, then LSU, and most recently TCU. Through transfers and critiques, media buzz and public judgment, she’s carried her edge like a badge of honor. Now, she’s showing another side—and it’s no less strong.
From Court to Camera
For those who’ve followed her career, this leap into high-fashion territory might not be a total surprise. Van Lith has always been that girl—driven, stylish, fiercely competitive, and acutely aware of her brand. She once dropped 30 points in a March Madness game while rocking lashes that could cut glass. This is a woman who’s been balancing performance and polish since her freshman year.
But even so, the swimsuit debut marks a shift. It’s not just about branding anymore—it’s about empowerment. Van Lith is stepping into a larger cultural conversation about what it means to be a woman in sports in 2025. And more importantly, what it means to own that identity.
It’s no secret that female athletes are often scrutinized more for how they look than how they play. They’re told to “smile more,” “tone it down,” “cover up,” “don’t distract.” But Van Lith’s shoot says the quiet part out loud: Being an elite athlete doesn’t mean you have to mute your femininity. Being seen—fully and confidently—isn’t a betrayal of the game. It’s part of the evolution.
A Soft Launch into the W
Hailey’s SI moment also comes at a critical pivot point in her career. With the 2025 WNBA Draft looming, this is arguably her final flex as a collegiate athlete before she enters the pros. And it’s brilliant. Because while the men’s side of basketball practically guarantees millionaire contracts off draft night, the WNBA is a different beast. Exposure, marketing, and off-court brand power aren’t side hustles—they’re survival skills.
So what does Van Lith do? She reminds the world exactly who she is.
In doing so, she joins a small but iconic group of women’s basketball players who’ve graced the SI Swimsuit platform: Sue Bird, Candace Parker, Skylar Diggins-Smith. All game-changers. All multidimensional women who refused to shrink themselves into one box.
Body Talk—The Realest Part of the Story
Let’s pause for a second and talk about the part of Van Lith’s shoot that might matter most: her vulnerability. In her SI feature, she opens up about her relationship with her body—how she’s struggled with image expectations, battled self-doubt, and finally come to a place of self-acceptance. That’s not easy. Especially not in a sport that still hasn’t totally figured out how to support women holistically.
“Growing up, I thought I had to look a certain way to be taken seriously,” she said. “Now I realize my body is strong. It’s mine. And I’m proud of it.”
Read that again. Because for the thousands of girls watching—especially those who hoop, who lift, who train—this isn’t just a quote. It’s a permission slip. A reminder that your body isn’t a problem to fix or a trend to fit into. It’s your story. And it deserves to be celebrated.
Not Just a Moment—A Movement
What makes this story even more powerful is the timing. Women’s basketball is having a cultural renaissance. Viewership is skyrocketing. Names like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and JuJu Watkins are becoming household. And at the same time, the players themselves are leading the charge in how the sport evolves—from fashion collabs to podcast deals to swimsuit covers.
Van Lith’s move isn’t isolated—it’s part of a wave. A generational shift. And it’s proof that women’s hoops isn’t just about the box score anymore. It’s about visibility. About voice. About value.
So, What’s Next?
Wherever Van Lith lands in the draft, one thing’s certain: she’s bringing more than just buckets to the league. She’s bringing a message. One that says being a baller doesn’t mean silencing the other parts of who you are. That you can be fierce and fly. Unapologetic and authentic.
In her SI debut, Hailey Van Lith didn’t just show up—she showed out. And in doing so, she gave women’s basketball a moment that was as stunning as it was strategic. One that says: We’re here. We’re loud. And we look good doing it.