SI Swimsuit Stars Shine in Sports, Modeling, and Beyond

From the WNBA to NCAA Gymnastics, SI Swimsuit athletes made major career moves this week.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:54pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the raw athletic power and dynamic movement of female sports stars through explosive brushstrokes and dissolving forms.SI Swimsuit stars shine on and off the court, track, and field, showcasing the boundless talent and determination of today's female athletes.Fort Myers Today

Several current and former SI Swimsuit models, including WNBA players Sophie Cunningham and Napheesa Collier, Olympic sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and NCAA gymnast Jordan Chiles, have achieved significant milestones in their sports and modeling careers over the past week.

Why it matters

The success of these SI Swimsuit athletes highlights the growing influence and recognition of women in sports, as well as the magazine's ability to showcase talented female athletes beyond just swimsuit modeling.

The details

Sophie Cunningham was announced as a 2026 SI Swimsuit model and will also join USA Network as an athlete contributor during the upcoming WNBA season. Napheesa Collier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was photographed for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue and is the cofounder of the women's 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, a five-time World Champion sprinter, was also photographed for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue and is a nominee for the 2026 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. Angel Reese was revealed as the new star of Victoria's Secret's latest beauty and swimwear campaign, and Olivia Dunne landed the first-ever Boardroom print cover. Nelly Korda tied for second place at the 2026 Aramco Championship, and Jordan Chiles was named the 2026 WCGA West Region Gymnast of the Year and is headed to the NCAA Championships with her UCLA team.

  • On Wednesday, April 8, Sophie Cunningham and Napheesa Collier were announced as 2026 SI Swimsuit models.
  • On Monday, April 6, Nelly Korda tied for second place at the 2026 Aramco Championship in Las Vegas.
  • On Wednesday, April 8, Jordan Chiles was named the 2026 WCGA West Region Gymnast of the Year.

The players

Sophie Cunningham

A free agent WNBA player who was announced as a 2026 SI Swimsuit model and will join USA Network as an athlete contributor during the upcoming WNBA season.

Napheesa Collier

A Minnesota Lynx forward, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and the cofounder of the women's 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled, who was photographed for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden

An Olympic track and field sprinter, five-time World Champion athlete, and nominee for the 2026 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, who was photographed for the 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Angel Reese

A forward who was photographed for the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue and was revealed as the new star of Victoria's Secret's latest beauty and swimwear campaign.

Olivia Dunne

A 2025 SI Swimsuit cover model who landed the first-ever Boardroom print cover this week, highlighting her journey from athlete to investor and her flourishing acting career.

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What’s next

The 2026 SI Swimsuit Issue featuring the athletes photographed in Fort Myers, Florida is set to be released later this year.

The takeaway

The achievements of these SI Swimsuit athletes demonstrate the growing influence and recognition of women in sports, as well as the magazine's ability to showcase talented female athletes beyond just swimsuit modeling. Their success highlights the diverse talents and contributions of these remarkable women.