Hailey Van Lith Announced as SI Swimsuit Digital Cover Star After March Madness Run

Sports Illustrated announced Tuesday that TCU women's basketball star Hailey Van Lith is the SI Swimsuit digital cover star for the month of April.

Van Lith recently completed her fifth and final year of college eligibility, leading TCU to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance in the history of its women's basketball program.

The 23-year-old Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final college season after three seasons at Louisville and one at LSU.

Her final collegiate season was among her best, as Van Lith averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year also became the first player ever in women's or men's college basketball to reach the Elite Eight on five occasions.

Van Lith has also excelled in the world of three-on-three basketball, helping Team USA win a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Now, Van Lith is poised to enter the 2025 WNBA draft, and all signs point toward her being a first-round pick.

As for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Van Lith is the latest in a long line of athletes who have been featured in recent months.

She joins U.S. women's Olympic gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee, Paralympics swimmer Ali Truwit, Team USA track and field stars Anna Hall and Gabby Thomas, surfer Caroline Marks and golfer Nelly Korda.

Since 2019, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue's physical copies have been released in May.