Sports Illustrated Swimsuit continues to bolster its roster of top female athletes.
The iconic brand has added WNBA stars Sophie Cunningham and Napheesa Collier and American track and field sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to the fold for the brand’s 2026 issue, which will release next month, as seen in a behind-the-scenes video Wednesday.
The clip showed the three stunning athletes posing in various swimsuits while shooting for the magazine in Fort Myers, Fla. at South Seas Resort, a 330-acre island resort and wildlife preserve.
“This is probably one of the most empowering things that I’ve done — ever,” said Cunningham, a veteran guard for the Indiana Fever.
“I truly think, go kick ass out on the court and then go kick ass out in the real world being a woman who is strong, who is powerful and has the mindset that she can do anything.
“… This is what SI is all about, empowering the female body, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Cunningham, who’s been open about pursuing modeling opportunities outside of basketball, modeled a white one-piece and a bikini.
Collier, who was seen on crutches, did the photoshoot amid her recovery from January surgery on both her ankles.
She injured her ankles during the WNBA season while with the Minnesota Lynx.
“We show what it is to sacrifice, what is it to work hard [and] to achieve your dream,” said Collier, who posed laying down on the beach and in a pool.
At one point, the Jordan brand athlete was being pushed around in a beach chair.
Jefferson-Wooden, a five-time World Champion, added, “You can be beautiful but you can also be strong.”
The video showed her tattoo of the Olympics rings after she won gold and bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The news comes after USA Network added Cunningham to their coverage team for the 2026 WNBA season Tuesday.
Cunningham will be a contributor for studio coverage throughout the season.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
