Napheesa Collier is adding another major moment to an already busy year.
The Minnesota Lynx star appears in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, joining a new class of athletes featured by the magazine as it continues to spotlight some of the biggest names in women’s sports.
Collier’s debut was revealed on Wednesday, April 8, in a behind-the-scenes video filmed at South Seas Resort in Fort Myers, Florida. The footage shows the WNBA standout posing on the beach, in the water, and by the pool while wearing a series of different swimsuits.
What made the shoot stand out was not just the setting: Collier completed it while recovering from surgery on both ankles.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery in January after suffering injuries during the WNBA season. In the video, she is seen using crutches between takes and, at one point, being pushed across the beach in a chair.
Even so, Collier never appears to treat the injuries as something to hide. Instead, they become part of the story.
“We show what it is to sacrifice, what it is to work hard [and] to achieve your dream,” Collier says in the clip.
That message fits with the image Collier has built throughout her career. Since entering the league in 2019, she has become one of the WNBA’s most recognizable stars, earning multiple All-Star selections and helping turn the Lynx back into a contender.
Last season, Collier was among the league leaders in scoring and rebounding before the ankle injuries forced her into recovery mode.
Her appearance in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit arrives at a time when women’s basketball is enjoying a surge in visibility. The WNBA posted record television ratings and attendance last season, while players have increasingly expanded their presence beyond the court through business ventures, media opportunities, and endorsement deals.
Earlier this year, she helped launch Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league she co-founded with Breanna Stewart. She also recently joined Jordan Brand, making her one of the company’s highest-profile women’s basketball athletes.
That partnership was visible during the shoot as well, with the video briefly showing Collier wearing Jordan gear between setups.
Collier was joined in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and Olympic sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.
