Swimsuit

7 Incredible Images From the WNBA’s Nneka Ogwumike’s ‘Dream Come True’ Photoshoot in St. Thomas

The professional basketball player was a natural on the Caribbean beaches.

Martha Zaytoun

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

There have been several athletes from various different disciplines who have graced the pages of the SI Swimsuit issue. Whether professional surfers or gymnasts, tennis players or basketball stars, each and every one has brought a beautiful sort of strength to the set of their photoshoot.

The same is certainly true of WNBA basketball star Nneka Ogwumike, who made her SI Swim debut in St. Thomas last year. The Los Angeles Sparks forward took a brief break from her time on the court to take part in one epic tropical photoshoot alongside photographer Laretta Houston, and she was extremely happy to do it.

“I feel amazing, I’m really happy to be out here,” she said while on set in the Caribbean. “[I am] being pushed to the limits—literally—but in such a beautiful place.”

Though taking part in the feature was definitely out of her comfort zone, the 33-year-old received a confidence boost from the first picture of the day, which “was fire,” she said.

Moreover, she embraced the opportunity to experiment with posing and moving in front of a camera. “I’m trying to challenge myself a little bit more when it comes to photoshoots and even production and acting,” she explained of her mentality on set. “So I’m trying to relinquish all feelings of vulnerability and embarrassment and just dive head first into it. I’m fired up.”

If the stunning final images are any indication, the basketball star certainly did dive right in to the experience.

More than anything, though, she was just thrilled for the opportunity. “I always looking forward to the issue coming out,” she admitted. “For me to be selected for something that I’ve always admired has been a dream come true. I can’t believe I’m in it.”

Here are seven of the beautiful photos from Ogwumike’s trip to St. Thomas.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Pursuit the Label.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Suki Cohen.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by OYE Swimwear.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

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Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID. Necklace by Martha Calvo.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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