TCU Horned Frogs star Hailey Van Lith has reached a new milestone in her ever-evolving career—being featured in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The 23-year-old basketball standout now joins the ranks of elite athletes like Olivia Dunne, Breanna Stewart, and Simone Biles who have also graced the pages of the iconic annual issue.
Already a prominent name in women’s college basketball, Hailey Van Lith’s appearance in Sports Illustrated introduces her to a wider audience—one that may not have followed her athletic achievements but will now discover her story of grit, growth, and perseverance.
This year has already been a breakout one for Hailey Van Lith. She was named Big 12 Player of the Year and led TCU to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance. With her name projected as a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, Van Lith is showing no signs of slowing down. She’s also made NCAA history, becoming the all-time leader in games played and the first player to lead three different programs to Sweet 16 appearances.
But stepping into the modeling world was a completely different challenge for the basketball phenom.
Van Lith Opens Up About Her Sports Illustrated Modeling Stint
“I was intimidated. I didn’t know if I would be comfortable in that kind of setting, but I wanted to try something that I had never tried,” Van Lith shared in an interview. “I would regret it a lot if I let my insecurities or my reservations hold me back from it.”
Hailey Van Lith has been open about her struggles with mental health, and her vulnerability adds depth to her already inspiring journey. Despite being used to the spotlight on the court, she admitted that posing in front of a camera for a swimsuit shoot felt daunting. Her honesty about that fear makes her story more relatable and humanizes the image of elite athletes often perceived as unshakably confident.
By taking on this new venture, Hailey Van Lith proves that personal growth can happen outside of your comfort zone—and sometimes, it means confronting fears head-on. Her feature in Sports Illustrated is more than just a photoshoot; it’s a statement of empowerment, resilience, and self-acceptance.
Hailey Van Lith’s journey continues to inspire, both on and off the court.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
