TCU basketball star Hailey Van Lith has been named a 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit digital cover model, photographed by Taylor Ballantyne at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas. The 23-year-old, who recently capped her NCAA career as the first player in history to reach five Elite Eight appearances across three schools, embraced the shoot’s sleek aesthetic with swimsuits emphasizing her athletic build, including a Saint Laurent bodysuit featured on the cover.
Van Lith, the Big 12 Player of the Year, admitted initial reservations about modeling. “I felt intimidated,” she told SI. “But I knew I’d regret not trying something new.” The player was styled by Katherine Ann Mellinger (makeup) and Paul Norton (hair) for the shoot.
The Washington native’s collegiate journey included stints at Louisville, LSU and TCU, where she set single-season scoring (663 points) and assist records. Her leadership propelled the Horned Frogs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010, further cementing her draft stock as a projected WNBA first-round pick. Van Lith also brings Olympic credentials, earning a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Games.
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“You can be strong and beautiful,” Van Lith stated in the campaign’s promo video, underscoring her goal to redefine athletic femininity. Her pivot to modeling reflects the growing trend of NIL-era athletes like LSU’s Angel Reese and Livvy Dunne leveraging their platforms beyond sports.
Van Lith joins a roster of athletes-turned-models, including gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee, Paralympian Ali Truwit, track stars Anna Hall and Gabby Thomas, surfer Caroline Marks and golfer Nelly Korda. The issue will be released in May.
