Olympian, WNBA Star Breanna Stewart Was Powerful and Pretty on the Shores of St. Thomas

The basketball legend traveled to the Caribbean for her feature in the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Ananya Panchal | Jul 30, 2024

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

As Breanna Stewart began competing with Team USA in the 2024 Olympics yesterday, July 29, we are fondly looking back at her SI Swimsuit feature. The WNBA legend, who is a four-time NCAA Champion, traveled to St. Thomas in 2022, posing for photographer Laretta Houston alongside a few fellow fierce female athletes.

“Being different doesn’t have to be a bad thing. To me, beauty means being comfortable in your own skin, being confident and loving your body for all your differences. In this world there’s so many things that make us all different,” the New York native shared while on location with the team. “There’s only one of me. I’m one of one and just loving every aspect of that.”

The New York Liberty forward, who is playing in the Paris games right now, won gold in both the 2016 and 2020 games. During the latter, 29-year-old Stewart was awarded the Olympic Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The ESPY Award winner was the No. 1 overall pick of the ’16 WNBA Draft, and she landed with the Seattle Storm, before transferring to the Liberty in 2023.

The mom of two, who shares her daughter Ruby and son Theo with wife Marta Xargay, is a passionate social justice and human rights advocate. She regularly uses her platform to champion causes that she cares about, as well as show off her love for fashion and her adorable family.

Below are five beautiful photos from Stewart’s SI Swimsuit feature in St. Thomas.

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Suki Cohen. Earrings by Eklexic. Bracelets by Martha Calvo. / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Earrings by SOKO. / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by lovewave. Earrings by Eklexic / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Thaikila. Earrings by Martha Calvo. / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Breanna Stewart was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Riot Swim. Earrings and bracelets by Martha Calvo. Bracelets and ring by SOKO / Laretta Houston/Sports Illustrated

Published Jul 30, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.