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Sophie Cunningham has become a Fever fan-favorite for her physical play in an enforcer role, personality on and off the court and outspoken interviews. She has been with the Fever for less than two full seasons, but has earned the local and national spotlight numerous times.
Here's a look at a busy two years for the Fever guard.
Cunningham arrived in Indiana via trade ahead of the 2025 season after six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. Indiana traded former No. 2 overall pick NaLyssa Smith and a first-round pick (No. 8) to Phoenix for Cunningham and the 19th pick of the 2025 WNBA draft.
Cunningham quickly established herself as a personality to watch, making headlines off court for her style, honest interviews and community involvement.
On the court, her strong 3-point shooting helped the Fever stay competitive while injuries piled up. She suffered her own season-ending MCL injury in August but vowed to be ready by the 2026 season.
Along with her 3-point shooting, Cunningham's physical play made her a fan favorite as she frequently came to the defense of teammates, including some well-publicized (and memified) defenses of Caitlin Clark. She was also an outspoken critic of the officiating, earning some WNBA fines along the way.
"I'm officially 3-for-3 on being fined by the WNBA," Cunningham said on her 'Show Me Something' podcast at the time.
'Gonna stand up for all my teammates': How skirmishes with opponents galvanize Indiana Fever
Cunningham re-signed with Indiana in free agency ahead of the 2026 season, but it wasn't without making a few headlines. She expressed some frustration over the deal on a podcast, but later clarified she meant the 1-year deal made her hesitant to move her dog, and her donkey to the city she loves.
Two days after signing a one-year, $665,000 deal to return to the Fever, Cunningham also posted a TikTok video of herself getting baptized. “I got baptized when I was little, but I was feeling a tug on my heart to do it on my terms as an adult! Such a fun, amazing day. Thank you, Jesus,” Cunningham said in the April 14 post.
Cunningham's style and fashion have been on display since her arrival.
In May, she made her debut in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, quickly drawing an outpouring of support from teammates and fellow athletes who flooded her social media with messages of admiration and encouragement.
In June, Cunningham went viral. Again.
Cunningham and Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner pointed at each other at length during a spat in the Fever’s win over the Mercury on June 22. Bonner stopped after a few seconds. The Indiana Fever guard kept pointing and soon became a viral meme.
”It’s so goofy,” Cunningham said of the memes. “It's getting worldwide views now, and so it's been fun to see.”
Cunningham gave a surprise performance as a ring girl at a UFC fight in Las Vegas on July 11. The fight between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis took place at UFC 329 during UFC's International Fight Week.
Cunningham was ringside when she kicked off her shoes and made a quick lap around the ring for "octagon card duties." See photos below and read more about her reaction to the opportunity here.
The Missouri native and graduate was inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame late last year, and frequently looks for ways to give back to the school and the area.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: See Sophie Cunningham's time as an Indiana Fever fan favorite
Continue reading...
Here's a look at a busy two years for the Fever guard.
Sophie Cunningham's first season with the Fever
Cunningham arrived in Indiana via trade ahead of the 2025 season after six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. Indiana traded former No. 2 overall pick NaLyssa Smith and a first-round pick (No. 8) to Phoenix for Cunningham and the 19th pick of the 2025 WNBA draft.
Cunningham quickly established herself as a personality to watch, making headlines off court for her style, honest interviews and community involvement.
On the court, her strong 3-point shooting helped the Fever stay competitive while injuries piled up. She suffered her own season-ending MCL injury in August but vowed to be ready by the 2026 season.
Sophie Cunningham as the Fever enforcer
Along with her 3-point shooting, Cunningham's physical play made her a fan favorite as she frequently came to the defense of teammates, including some well-publicized (and memified) defenses of Caitlin Clark. She was also an outspoken critic of the officiating, earning some WNBA fines along the way.
"I'm officially 3-for-3 on being fined by the WNBA," Cunningham said on her 'Show Me Something' podcast at the time.
'Gonna stand up for all my teammates': How skirmishes with opponents galvanize Indiana Fever
New Fever contract for 2026
Cunningham re-signed with Indiana in free agency ahead of the 2026 season, but it wasn't without making a few headlines. She expressed some frustration over the deal on a podcast, but later clarified she meant the 1-year deal made her hesitant to move her dog, and her donkey to the city she loves.
Two days after signing a one-year, $665,000 deal to return to the Fever, Cunningham also posted a TikTok video of herself getting baptized. “I got baptized when I was little, but I was feeling a tug on my heart to do it on my terms as an adult! Such a fun, amazing day. Thank you, Jesus,” Cunningham said in the April 14 post.
Sophie Cunningham's Sports Illustrated swimsuit debut
Cunningham's style and fashion have been on display since her arrival.
In May, she made her debut in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, quickly drawing an outpouring of support from teammates and fellow athletes who flooded her social media with messages of admiration and encouragement.
Sophie Cunningham point turns viral meme
In June, Cunningham went viral. Again.
Cunningham and Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner pointed at each other at length during a spat in the Fever’s win over the Mercury on June 22. Bonner stopped after a few seconds. The Indiana Fever guard kept pointing and soon became a viral meme.
”It’s so goofy,” Cunningham said of the memes. “It's getting worldwide views now, and so it's been fun to see.”
Cunningham's UFC ring girl debut
Cunningham gave a surprise performance as a ring girl at a UFC fight in Las Vegas on July 11. The fight between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis took place at UFC 329 during UFC's International Fight Week.
Cunningham was ringside when she kicked off her shoes and made a quick lap around the ring for "octagon card duties." See photos below and read more about her reaction to the opportunity here.
Mizzou Hall of Fame induction
The Missouri native and graduate was inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame late last year, and frequently looks for ways to give back to the school and the area.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: See Sophie Cunningham's time as an Indiana Fever fan favorite
Continue reading...
