WNBA Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Te’a Cooper And DiDi Richards Slay The Cover Of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
The ladies of the WNBA will be gracing the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and they are just as fierce and dynamic slaying behind the camera as they are on the court.
Free-agent Te’a Cooper, the Los Angeles Sparks Nneka Ogwumike, and New York Liberty star DiDi Richards were among the beautiful ballers featured front and center on the forthcoming issue that celebrates the WNBA’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social change outside of the arena.
With the scenic ocean of the US Virgin Islands as their backdrop, the ballers traded in their jerseys for sexy sleek black swimsuits during the beautiful photoshoot.
Cooper shined in a plunging V-line swimsuit, while Ogwumike showed off her brawny physique in a sexy double cross strap swimsuit.
Richards donned a bikini giving a glimpse of her toned upper body in a mesh top. WNBA vet Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm’s Breanna Stewart also graced the cover.
“These players not only dominate on the court but are tirelessly leading the charge in speaking out on social justice issues- fighting for racial justice and equality and working together to create sustainable change,” said Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit editor MJ Daily on Instagram.
During the interview, the former Los Angeles Sparks star gushed about the opportunity of being able to model for the coveted sports publication.
“It says ‘sports’ but they always looked like models, so I would have never thought one day I would be one. It was very empowering to be a part of this because of the people I did it with,” the 25-year-old said, according to SI Swimsuit.
“Everybody’s story was different and just spending time with them, us all being in the WNBA as professionals was overwhelming.”
Cooper added that she hopes to follow in the powerful footsteps of the WNBA giants who came before her and made a significant impact on the league.
“The fact that some players are mothers—just being able to do all of that and be one of the top athletes is an amazing accomplishment. And for people to be able to see it is empowering,” she shared.
While Cooper waits for her next team placement, it looks like she’s staying pretty busy off the court. The bustling hooper is a brand ambassador for the health and wellness company Thorne and it looks like she had already been priming her modeling chops for other fashion gigs too. Cooper was recently featured on the cover of Grind Pretty.
