Former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick has shattered barriers by becoming the first black professional women's basketball player to appear in Playboy magazine. The free agent, who previously played for Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, features as Miss June 2025 in a groundbreaking photoshoot that marks a significant moment in sports and culture.
Breaking Boundaries in Sports and Media
The 28-year-old athlete participated in a retro-glam themed shoot that showcased both her basketball background and evolving personal brand. In one particularly striking image, Gondrezick leans over a luxurious Mercedes while holding a basketball under her arm, symbolically connecting her athletic career with her new creative direction.
Addressing her current career transition, Gondrezick offered a powerful perspective: "What people label as a transition, I embody as evolution. I'm not stepping outside who I am. I'm building a multidimensional brand." She further reflected on the dedication required in professional sports, noting that maintaining a WNBA position demands even more effort than achieving it initially.
Fashion Forward Career Pivot
Gondrezick's move into high-profile modelling follows her established presence in the fashion world. Like her former teammate Angel Reese, she has made significant strides in fashion, attending New York Fashion Week and turning heads at last month's Victoria's Secret show in New York.
Her signature tunnel fits and sultry power suits have attracted attention from major brands throughout her basketball career. The guard's personal life has also drawn public interest, having previously dated Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown and former NBA guard Kevin Porter Jr.
WNBA Career and Future Ambitions
Gondrezick's basketball journey began when she was selected fourth overall by Indiana Fever in the 2021 WNBA draft from West Virginia University. However, her professional career saw limited playing time across just 19 games with the Fever before her release.
After spending training camp with Chicago Sky in 2022, she returned on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal in February 2024. Her tenure proved brief, playing only five games before being waived midway through the 2024 season. Across her entire WNBA career, she maintained averages of 1.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists.
Following her release last summer, Gondrezick revealed her aspirations beyond basketball. "I'm in acting classes, acting training. I'm getting ready to shoot some film work for 2025," she shared. Remarking on her increased visibility since leaving the league, she added: "It's funny, someone said, 'You have trended more since you've been cut and since you were in the league.' I'm just living in the beauty of my purpose."
This historic Playboy feature represents both a personal milestone for Gondrezick and a significant moment for representation in women's sports, demonstrating how athletes can successfully build brands that transcend their sporting achievements.
