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Mar 31, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith (10) defends against the Texas Longhorns during the second half of an Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

'I Didn’t Know If I Would Be Comfortable': Hailey Van Lith Reveals Jitters During Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Shoot

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Sabel Reyes | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 12:18 PM ET

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.

Mar 31, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guards Donovyn Hunter (4) and Hailey Van Lith (10) talk to head coach Mark Campbell during the first half of an Elite 8 NCAA Tournament game against the Texas Longhorns at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

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.

Mar 31, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith (10) shoots with tight defense from Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) during the second half of an Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Hailey Van Lith’s journey continues to inspire, both on and off the court.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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