The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition has been a cultural touchstone since its debut in 1964, fusing athleticism, beauty and empowerment into an annual celebration of diverse talent. Over the decades, the magazine has evolved from a simple swimsuit issue to a platform that highlights women from all walks of life, including elite athletes, models, and influencers. In the digital age, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has remained relevant by embracing inclusivity and innovation, using social media to expand its reach and connect with younger audiences. The 2025 issue continues this tradition by spotlighting three outstandingNCAA athletes from the Big 12: basketball player Hailey Van Lith, soccer player Phoenix Miranda and track star Rayniah Jones.
A BIG12 Athletes Photoshoot in Fort Worth
Video and photos capture the behind-the-scenes action of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Shoot in Fort Worth, Texas, featuring Hailey Van Lith, Phoenix Miranda and Rayniah Jones. The trio exudes confidence and strength as they pose in stylish swimsuits, with Van Lith taking center stage. A basketball phenom, Van Lith capped her collegiate career at TCU by leading the Horned Frogs to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance last March, averaging 18.9 points and 6.7 assists per game in her senior season. She also won a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Phoenix Miranda, a soccer defender for the University of Colorado Boulder, the same program where Deion Sanders is the football coach, recorded 29 shutouts and started 41 of 73 career games, earning the 2021 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award. Rayniah Jones, a track and field standout from the University of Central Florida, is a 10-time All-American who won the 2024 Big 12 100-meter hurdles title in a personal-best 12.59 seconds, cementing her status as one of the conference’s top sprinters.
Hailey Van Lith’s WNBA Debut on the Horizon
Hailey Van Lith, the first player in NCAA history to reach the Elite Eight with three different teams (Louisville, LSU, and TCU), wrapped up her five-year collegiate career in 2025 after TCU’s Elite Eight loss in the NCAA Tournament. Her stellar season caught the eye of WNBA scouts, and the Chicago Sky didn’t hesitate to select her with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft, reuniting her with former LSU teammate Angel Reese. The two played together at LSU in 2023-24, where they lost to Caitlin Clark’s Iowa in the Elite Eight. That was Reese’s last college season before turning pro.
Now, paired with Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, Van Lith’s playmaking and shooting ability – she shot 41% from three in her final collegiate season – could create a dynamic trio for the Sky. Under new head coach Tyler Marsh, a former assistant with the Las Vegas Aces who helped them win back-to-back titles, Van Lith has already shown promise in preseason games against Brazil and the Minnesota Lynx, displaying a knack for three-point shooting, smart passing and minimal turnovers. She’ll be an important addition to the Sky’s towering frontcourt next season.
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