Former guard Kysre Gondrezick, an ex WNBA star, has made headlines after unveiling her risqué photoshoot for Playboy, marking a historic moment for professional athletes.
The 2025 Miss June reveal dropped on November 13, drawing widespread attention across social media.
Gondrezick confirmed that she is the first Black professional athlete to appear as a Playboy Playmate.
The shoot has sparked significant reactions from fans, fellow athletes, and public figures.
Her announcement comes as she prepares for the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season.
Player Background and Career Status
Kysre Gondrezick, drafted fourth overall by the Indiana Fever in 2021, played 19 games in her rookie season before being waived the following year. She later appeared in training camp for the Chicago Sky twice, logging a combined five regular-season games.
Now signed for the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season, the ex WNBA star continues to balance her growing modeling career with professional basketball ambitions.
Her Playboy announcement was posted via Instagram on November 13, captioned:
“Playboy’s 2025 Miss June ✨ Proud to be the first Black professional athlete in history to ever grace Playboy magazine as a Playmate!”
The photos quickly went viral, positioning her as one of the most discussed figures in women’s sports and lifestyle media this week.
Reactions from Athletes and Public Figures
The reveal generated immediate attention from professional athletes and well-known personalities.
Supermodel Winnie Harlow reacted with heart-eye emojis, while Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown wrote, “We don’t deserve you.”
Chicago Sky guard Lexie Brown added, “This is so fire — proud of you!”
Dozens of fans echoed similar praise, citing empowerment, confidence, and representation as major themes highlighted by the groundbreaking shoot.
These reactions reflect a broader conversation about athlete branding, player visibility, and the increasing crossover between sports and entertainment.
What This Means for Her Career
Gondrezick’s move may influence both her public profile and future opportunities within and beyond basketball.
From a sports-media standpoint, the historic Playboy feature positions the ex WNBA star as a high-visibility figure heading into the 2026 Athletes Unlimited season. Increased exposure could elevate league interest, boost sponsorship opportunities, and attract new viewership demographics.
For Athletes Unlimited, her appearance in a globally recognized publication may provide additional off-court momentum as the league continues expanding its brand and fan engagement strategy.
While the shoot does not directly affect roster standings or competitive play, it underscores a growing trend of women athletes leveraging multi-industry platforms to enhance personal branding and career longevity.
What’s Next
Gondrezick is expected to participate in media appearances tied to the Playboy release throughout late 2025.
Athletes Unlimited will announce full roster activation dates and preseason schedules in early 2026.
With heightened public interest, Gondrezick may also secure further modeling partnerships as she continues to build her dual-track career.
Sources
▪ ESPN
▪ The Sporting News
▪ NBC Sports
▪ Athletes Unlimited
