You’ve seen the photos, right? Maybe it was a glossy cover of ESPN The Magazine or a viral social media post from a WNBA star. When people talk about nude female basketball players, the conversation usually goes one of two ways. It’s either a firestorm of "she’s a role model, how could she?" or a clinical discussion about "body positivity."
Honestly, it’s rarely that simple.
For these athletes, shedding their jerseys isn't just about the shock factor. It’s work. It’s branding. It’s a very specific, often grueling decision to show the world exactly what a 6-foot-8-inch frame looks like when it’s not covered in mesh and sweat.
The ESPN Body Issue: Changing the Visual Language
For about a decade, the Body Issue was the gold standard. It basically rewrote the rules for how we look at professional athletes. It wasn't about being "sexy" in the traditional sense—though, yeah, the photos were stunning. It was about mechanics.
Think about Diana Taurasi. In 2010, she posed for the issue, and it was a massive deal. She wasn’t just a basketball player anymore; she was a piece of architecture. You could see the muscle groups that allow a point guard to pivot at high speeds without snapping an ankle.
Then you have someone like Liz Cambage. When she did the shoot in 2019, she was incredibly vocal about the experience. She’s 6’8". In Australia, growing up, she didn't see women who looked like her. Posing naked was her way of saying, "This is my machine." She actually told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she felt frustrated by how nudity is always sexualized. To her, it was pure identity.
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- Candace Parker (2012): Showed the world the strength of a versatile forward.
- Swin Cash (2013): Focused on the longevity of a veteran body.
- Brittney Griner (2015): A powerful statement on gender and tattoos.
- Sue Bird & Breanna Stewart (2018): The first openly gay couple on the cover, a huge moment for WNBA history.
Why Do They Do It?
It's not just for the paycheck. Kysre Gondrezick made headlines recently as the first active professional female basketball player to become a Playboy Playmate. She described it as an "evolution" rather than a transition.
Basically, the "dumb jock" trope is dead. These women are CEOs of their own brands. If posing for a high-fashion naked layout helps them land a sneaker deal or build a media empire, they're going to do it. It’s a power move.
But it’s also about the fans. Or rather, the lack of representation for certain body types. When Elena Delle Donne or Nneka Ogwumike pose, they are showing young girls that "athletic" doesn't have one specific look. It can be lean, it can be bulky, it can be scarred.
The Backlash is Real
Let’s be real: not everyone is a fan. Every time a player like Cameron Brink—who recently did a bold shoot for Players magazine—steps out of the traditional "athlete" box, the comments sections turn into a war zone.
Critics often argue that these shoots distract from the actual game. They say it "cheapens" the sport. But if you look at the numbers, women's sports have historically struggled for media coverage. A 2025 study from ScholarWorks@Bellarmine noted that media coverage directly impacts the growth of professional leagues. If a naked photo shoot gets a million more eyes on a player, and those eyes eventually buy tickets to a game, is it really "distracting"?
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Some players find the process terrifying. Liz Cambage mentioned being naked in front of 15 to 20 people on a set at Milk Studios. It's a professional environment, but it's still vulnerable. You're not just a player anymore; you're a human being without any of the armor that the WNBA provides.
Activism and Art
Sometimes the nudity isn't about the athlete's brand at all. It's about a cause. PETA has a long history of recruiting "Basketball Wives" stars like Evelyn Lozada and Bonnie-Jill Laflin (the first female NBA scout) to strip down for their "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaigns.
In these cases, the nudity is a tool for shock. It’s meant to stop your scroll. It’s effective because we don't expect to see these powerful, tall, recognizable women in such a defenseless state.
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people think these shoots are just about ego. They aren't.
- It's Physical Therapy for the Soul: Many athletes use these shoots to reclaim their bodies after major injuries.
- It's Financial Strategy: Post-playing careers are short. A iconic photo stays forever.
- It's Narrative Control: Instead of waiting for a paparazzi shot, they control the lighting, the angle, and the message.
Looking Forward: The 2026 Landscape
We are seeing a shift. With the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in college, younger players are entering the pro leagues with a much firmer grasp on their own image. They aren't waiting for a magazine to call them; they’re creating their own content.
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The taboo is fading. Sorta.
We’re getting to a point where a female basketball player can be an elite athlete, a fashion icon, and a nude model all at once without one canceling out the others. It’s messy, it’s controversial, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But it’s happening.
If you’re interested in the intersection of sports and media, start by looking at the archival shoots from the Body Issue. Compare the 2010 shoots to the more recent ones. You'll notice the lighting has changed, the poses have changed, and most importantly, the way the athletes speak about the experience has become much more unapologetic.
Watch the interviews. Read the captions. The story isn't in the skin; it's in why they chose to show it.