Sophie Cunningham, Napheesa Collier bring powerful message to Sports Illustrated spotlight
Meanwhile, turning alot of heads.
Sophie Cunningham, Napheesa Collier bring powerful message to Sports Illustrated spotlight originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The setting might be a beach in Florida, but the impact goes far beyond a photoshoot.
Sophie Cunningham and Napheesa Collier are part of the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and what they’re representing feels just as important as how they look. Alongside Olympic sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, the athletes took part in a shoot that blends confidence, strength, and identity in a way that continues to reshape how female athletes are viewed. “This is probably one of the most empowering things that I’ve done — ever,” Cunningham said during the shoot.
That message comes through clearly. This isn’t about stepping away from basketball. It’s about expanding what being a professional athlete can look like.
Sophie Cunningham for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (2026) pic. twitter. com/L803GjoBO2 — Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) April 8, 2026 More than a photoshoot Cunningham has steadily built a presence beyond the court with the Indiana Fever , and this moment fits naturally into that growth.