Nneka Ogwumike 2022: St. Thomas

SI Swimsuit | May 15, 2022

Nneka Ogwumike made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2022, shooting in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands with fellow WNBA athletes Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, Te’a Cooper and Didi Richards.

As the star forward for the Sparks, Ogwumike is a six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time All-WNBA selection, three-time All-Defensive WNBA selection and was the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She is a WNBA champion and was the ’16 WNBA MVP. But it’s her work off the court championing women's rights and equality that makes her extraordinary. As the president of the WNBA Players Association, Ogwumike fiercely led the group in its renegotiation of the WNBA’s groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement. She is widely respected throughout the league for her work empowering the league’s players and women as a whole.

Being a U.S. territory, St. Thomas is exotic yet American. As the most cosmopolitan of the four U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s a destination brimming with beauty, world-class dining, shopping and incomparable views of the Caribbean.

To learn more about St. Thomas in the U.S Virgin Islands click here. | To plan your vacation to St. Thomas click here.

The styling for this shoot was intended to feel both sexy and wearable, with neutral colors and functional layering pieces that can take you from the boat to dinner. We pulled from our go-to designers like Riot Swim, Becca and L Space, who excel in style and quality.

Hair: Sophia Porter
Make-up: Renee Garnes of Opus Beauty
Photographer: Laretta Houston

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

Shop swimsuits by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID: JUL Cut Out - One Shoulder Swimsuit ($134).

Shop necklaces by Martha Calvo.

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

Shop swimsuits by OYE Swimwear: Shop a similar style with the Elizabeth Mesh One Piece Swimsuit ($280).

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Necklaces by Eklexic and Made by Mary. Body chain by Dune Jewelry and Co.

Shop swimsuits by SKATIE: Lacey Top ($60) and Kelly Bottom ($65).

Shop necklaces by Eklexic.

Shop necklaces by Made by Mary.

Shop Jewelry by Dune Jewelry and Co.

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Cover Swim. Necklaces by Eklexic.

Shop swimsuits by Cover Swim: Long-Sleeved Hooded Front Zip ($225).

Shop necklaces by Eklexic.

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

Shop swimsuits by Suki Cohen.

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

Shop swimsuits by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID: JUL Cut Out - One Shoulder Swimsuit ($134).

Shop necklaces by Martha Calvo.

Te’a Cooper, DiDi Richards, Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, and Sue Bird were photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

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

Shop swimsuits by Pursuit the Label: The Strike Suit ($187).

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Cover Swim.

Shop swimsuits by Cover Swim: Long-Sleeved Hooded Front Zip ($225).

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Necklaces by Eklexic and Made by Mary. Body chain by Dune Jewelry and Co.

Shop swimsuits by SKATIE: Lacey Top ($60) and Kelly Bottom ($65).

Shop necklaces by Eklexic.

Shop necklaces by Made by Mary.

Shop Jewelry by Dune Jewelry and Co.

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, and Sue Bird were photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Cover Swim. Necklaces by Eklexic.

Shop swimsuits by Cover Swim: Long-Sleeved Hooded Front Zip ($225)

Shop necklaces by Eklexic.

Nneka Ogwumike and DiDi Richards were photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

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

Shop swimsuits by Pursuit the Label: The Strike Suit ($187).

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

Shop swimsuits by Suki Cohen.

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Sue Bird, DiDi Richards, Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, and Te’a Cooper were photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

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

Shop swimsuits by OYE Swimwear: Shop a similar style with the Elizabeth Mesh One Piece Swimsuit ($280).

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

Shop swimsuits by Ola Vida.

Nneka Ogwumike was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Necklaces by Eklexic and Made by Mary. Body chain by Dune Jewelry and Co.

Shop swimsuits by SKATIE: Lacey Top ($60) and Kelly Bottom ($65).

Shop necklaces by Eklexic.

Shop necklaces by Made by Mary.

Shop Jewelry by Dune Jewelry and Co.