Swimsuit

Te’a Cooper Exuded Power During Her SI Swim Photoshoot in St. Thomas

The WNBA free agent made a splash during her 2022 feature with the magazine.

Ananya Panchal

Te'a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

WNBA free agent Te’a Cooper appeared in the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue after she traveled to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was captured for a super memorable feature alongside fellow basketball stars Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, Nneka Ogwumike and DiDi Richards.

The New Jersey native, who played for the Los Angeles Sparks, compared preparing for her magazine feature with the iconic brand to getting ready for a game.

“I was super excited. It was really comfortable,” she shared. “It was real easy. I was super excited to just be with [the other athletes] and see them be out of their element, too.”

Cooper added that she was honored to be featured in a magazine that prioritizes diversity and strives for representation.

“You look at [SI] Swimsuit and it’s like natural bodies, or whatever you chose to do. If they are authentically themselves and you just see that in the photos,” she said. “I think seeing that with every color, shape, size is really great representation for kids growing up. Like ‘that could be me,’ everybody’s different in their own way and seeing that is inspiring. When you don’t see [anyone who looks] like yourself somewhere, it’s hard to dream [about] it.”

The 26-year-old noted that editor in chief MJ Day and photographer Laretta Houston were a dream team to work with.

“Working with [them] has been the best experience of my life. They are so empowering and encouraging,” she gushed. “They just really make you comfortable in your own skin. They’re just a pleasure to be around and they have beautiful spirits.” 

Below are five marvelous photos of Cooper in St. Thomas.

Te’a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Joues de Sable. Earrings by Martha Calvo.

Te’a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Blackbough Swim. Earrings and bracelets by Martha Calvo.

Te’a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Versace. Earrings, necklace and bracelet by Martha Calvo.

Te’a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Bodysuit by Goldsign. Necklace by Made by Mary. Bracelet and ring by SOKO.

Te'a Cooper was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Joues de Sable. Earrings by Martha Calvo.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.

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