Basketball star Hailey Van Lith turned heads when she hit April’s WNBA Draft in a sparkly black mini-dress and flawless makeup. Now she’s leveled up again, swapping out her Chicago Sky uniform — she was drafted that fateful night — for a bikini.

HVL, as the star rookie is known, absolutely sizzles in the newest issue of the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, out on Saturday, May 17.

For her big photo shoot, Van Lith, 23 models a matching striped bikini in white and sky-blue, one of the official Chicago Sky colors. Her blonde hair is styled in beachy waves, and she sports a flawless natural-looking makeup look. According to an article published by SI on Tuesday, May 13, the famous photographer Taylor Ballantyne captured the look in Fort Worth, Texas — where Van Lith attended Texas Christian University for graduate studies before going pro.

Taylor Ballantyne/Sports Illustrated

Van Lith, who’s originally from Washington State, also played for University of Louisville and Louisiana State University — where she befriended Angel Reese, who is now her teammate at the Chicago Sky. As a Horned Frog, she led her team to the Elite Eight during the 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament. She was also the Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Tournament MVP for the 2024-25 season.

The star guard was selected 11th overall during the 2025 WNBA Draft and has been hard at work with the Chicago Sky. She makes her professional debut against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 17 in Indianapolis. On Thursday, May 22 she will play in her new home arena — Wintrust Arena — for the first time against the New York Liberty.

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