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Name a more iconic duo...we'll wait. LSU athletes Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne were all smiles on Thursday night in New York City, celebrating their debuts in the 2023 _Sports

Illustrated Swimsuit_ Issue. Reese, 21, wore a stunning red gown to the event at the Hard Rock Hotel in the city, while Dunn, 20, chose a sheer, black dress for the launch. The LSU stars,

who are the first college athletes to be featured in the coveted issue, posed for a photo together. Reese posted it on Twitter later, writing, "LSU's FINESTTTT" and tagging

Dunne. Dunne, currently a junior at the university, is the NIL's highest-paid female athlete, bringing in over three million dollars in brand deals. "When I first got the call, I

honestly was in disbelief," she told PEOPLE of learning she'd be featured in the issue. "That's the best word to describe it. I got off the phone, I was screaming and

jumping around, and I called my mom immediately, and I think I cried." _SI Swimsuit_ Editor-in-Chief MJ Day told PEOPLE that she wanted to include Dunne, who has dealt with criticism

during her rise to fame, for "owning" her worth as an athlete and a woman. "Usually being a D1 athlete, an all-academic and an industrious entrepreneur is enough to garner

respect and accolades. But when you are Livvy Dunne and you also mix in being arrestingly beautiful, you unfortunately garner the ire and resentment of a certain niche population," Day

said. "... The backlash she received for 'leveraging' her sexuality for endorsement dollars after the NIL restrictions were lifted is incorrect. We are here to celebrate this

incredible young woman and encourage the world to respect and applaud Livvy and her fellow athletes for owning the blood, sweat and tears that have fueled a lifetime of achievements."

Reese, fresh off helping the Louisiana State Tigers win its first NCAA women's basketball championship, was named the "Most Outstanding Player" of the Final Four. _NEVER MISS

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Reese told _SI_ she was nervous about the photoshoot at first, but soon felt at ease. "I had on thong bathing suits and I didn't think I was going to be comfortable, but [everyone]

made me feel really comfortable," she said. "I work out a lot. I embrace my body and who I am and every mark on my body. I probably feel the sexiest in a bathing suit." Off

the court, Reese is one of the top-earning college athletes with $1.3 million in endorsement deals for brands like Coach, McDonald's and Amazon. "Having so many people come back to

me and say, 'You guys have changed the game. You guys have been a part of history,' I embraced that," Reese, who was photographed by Yu Tsai, told _SI_. "Just being able

to be a part of this has just been amazing for me this year, and it's been a blessing."