WNBA stars Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Te’a Cooper and others pose for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

The WNBA is putting “sport” on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition this year, and the top five stars pose for the new song.

On Monday, the magazine shared the first photos of Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike, Te’a Cooper and DiDi Richards looking matching black swimsuits.

“W at home!” The magazine wrote on Instagram. “@wnba women have replaced their uniforms with swimsuits and unleashed all our rustles.

Seattle Storm star Sue Bird, 41, has a one-shoulder, sporty two-piece version.

The new issue, which hits newsstands on May 19, will include five women in sexy swimsuits.

Seattle Storm star Sue Bird, 41, sports a sporty one-piece two-piece, while teammate Breanna Stewart, 27, shows off some skin in a one-piece cut.

Los Angeles Sparks players Nneka Ogwumike, 31, and Te’a Cooper, 25, also wear a one-piece swimsuit, while DiDi Richards, 23, of New York Liberty, wears a black mesh top over a thong bikini.

“These players not only dominate the field, but tirelessly take the lead in speaking out about social justice issues, fighting for racial justice and equality, and working together to create lasting change,” said editor MJ Day.

The fierce five were photographed by photographer Laretta Houston with Sophia Porter’s hair and Renee Garnes makeup.

DiDi Richards, 23, of New York Liberty, said posing for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was “a dream of a lifetime” and that it was “crazy” to seize the chance.

Te’a Cooper, a 25-year-old Los Angeles Sparks player, said she never thought she would one day be on these pages.

Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart, 27, shows some skin in a full cut

“It was really motivating to be a part of it, thanks to the people I’ve done with it,” said 31-year-old Los Angeles Sparks player Nneka Ogwumike.

WNBA players are proud to take their representation to the next point.

‘This is us; This is the gimmick of our competition,” Bird told the magazine.

“We represent different things: obviously women, women of color, members of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and many more.

‘ [Swimsuit] problem has been iconic for years and has meant a lot to women. Now you see an evolution in what that could mean and what it could look like, and I think WNBA players are part of what makes it special. There is no better group of women to show this evolution.

Meanwhile, Cooper pondered the days when he would see the problem as a kid and never thought it would one day be on the pages.

“It says ‘sports’ but they always looked like models, so I never thought I’d be a model,” she said.

WNBA players proud to take their representation to the next issue

‘This is us; that’s the trick of our contest,” Bird (not pictured) told the magazine

“It says ‘Sports’ but they always looked like models, so I never thought I’d be a model,” said Cooper (not pictured ((

“These players not only dominate the field, but tirelessly take the lead in speaking out about social justice issues, fighting for racial justice and equality, and working together to create lasting change,” said editor MJ Day.

“It was so powerful to be a part of it, thanks to the people I was working with. Everyone’s story was different and it was very difficult to spend time with them, for all of us to be pros in the WNBA.”

“It’s nice to see and understand that we live in history. I love the differences we celebrate and highlight,” Ogwumike added.

Richards also said that posing for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was “a dream of a lifetime” and that it was “crazy” to have the chance.

“It was so humiliating. My feelings went in all directions. ‘Do I really have to be here?’ I said.

While the problem is mostly riddled with patterns, athletes have emerged over the years.

The wild five were photographed by photographer Laretta Houston with Sophia Porter’s hair and Renee Garnes makeup.

While the problem is mostly riddled with patterns, athletes have emerged over the years.

Athletes who have made the transition to modeling have included Lindsey Vonn, Alex Morgan, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and Ronda Rousey.

Danica Patrick was one of the first in 2009, followed by five athletes in 2010, including skier Lindsey Vonn.

American football star Alex Morgan debuted in 2012 and made the cover of the magazine in 2019.

Other sports stars posing include gymnasts Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, tennis players Caroline Wozniacki and Genie Bouchard, wrestler Ronda Rousey and golfer Paige Spiranac.

Serena Williams appeared as MMA fighter Paige VanZant, surfer Malia Manuel, and football players Abby Dahlkemper and Megan Rapinoe.