There was a sizzling LSU takeover in New York City this past week.
LSU basketball phenom Angel Reese and star Lady Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne turned heads at the release party of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2023 issue at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday.
“LSU’s finest,” the 21-year-old Reese wrote on Twitter, where she posted a photo of herself with Dunne at the starry event.
Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne attend the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue release party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 18, 2023 in New York City. Getty Images for Sports IllustraDunne, 20, also reposted Reese’s tweet.
Reese, who led LSU to its first national championship in program history last month, stunned in a red cutout dress from FashionNova while Dunne, the NCAA’s highest-earning female athlete, rocked a black lace gown.
Reese and Dunne made their SI Swimsuit debuts in this year’s issue — and are the first college athletes to be featured in the iconic publication.
Dunne traveled to Puerto Rico in January for the shoot and posed for a variety of sultry shots on the beach.
Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne attend the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue release party at Hard Rock Hotel New York on May 18, 2023 in New York City. Getty Images for Sports IllustraAs for Reese, she modeled a number of bold styles and colors in her shoot, which took place at an art deco-style house in Los Angeles.
Beyond their athletic prowess, Reese and Dunne have capitalized on their massive social media followings in the wake of the NCAA’s ruling in 2021, enabling student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness.
Reese — who was named “Most Outstanding Player” of the Final Four during this year’s March Madness tournament — has two million followers on both Instagram and TikTok.
Olivia Dunne of LSU warms up on the uneven bars during a gymnastics meet against Auburn at Neville Arena on Feb. 10, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. Getty ImagesNew Jersey native Dunne boasts more than 11 million followers between her Instagram and TikTok pages.
SI Swimsuit Editor-in-Chief MJ Day told People she wanted to feature Dunne, who has dealt with criticism during her rise to fame for “owning” her worth as an athlete and a woman.
Dunne’s NIL valuation is at $3 million, On3 Sports reported in January, as the gymnast has brand deals with American Eagle, Forever 21, and Vuori.
Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. Getty ImagesReese is one of the top-earning college athletes with $1.3 million in endorsement deals for brands such as Coach, McDonald’s, and Amazon.
Reese, nickamed the Bayou Barbie, is currently featured on the May/June 2023 cover of Sports Illustrated with her cousin, UConn guard Jordan Hawkins.
Reese, a Maryland native, grew up with Hawkins, who helped the Huskies defeat the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59 to win the NCAA Tournament in April.
