SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SHAKES UP THE WNBA: FROM PHOENIX POOLSIDE TO FEVER CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT
INDIANAPOLIS — Sophie Cunningham was basking in the Arizona sun, poolside in Phoenix, when her world flipped upside down. In a blockbuster move that rewrote WNBA history, Cunningham found herself headed to one of the league’s most electrifying teams—the Indiana Fever.
From Sunscreen to Superstars: The Trade That Rocked the League
The Feb. 2 trade, the largest in WNBA history, saw Cunningham and Jaelyn Brown (on a training camp contract) land in Indiana, while NaLyssa Smith was shipped to Dallas and Connecticut grabbed the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft. It was a move that signaled one thing loud and clear: Indiana Fever is all-in on building a championship roster.
For Cunningham, 28, who spent her entire career in Phoenix since being drafted in 2019, the news came with a wave of emotions—but one thought stood out: “Heck yeah, we’re about to go win a championship.”
Indiana’s Game Plan: Experience + Firepower
The Fever, fresh off a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, weren’t messing around this offseason. Only five players—Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, and Damiris Dantas—remain from the 2024 squad. Instead, the front office doubled down on championship pedigree, bringing in battle-tested veterans:
- Cunningham (2021 WNBA Finals)
- Natasha Howard (three-time WNBA champion)
- DeWanna Bonner (WNBA’s most experienced playoff player)
- Syd Colson (two-time WNBA champion off the bench)
Fever president Kelly Krauskopf summed it up: “Having that highest-level playoff experience is really important. Knowing how hard it is to get there—and win—is invaluable.”
Cunningham’s Fit: The Fever Just Got More Dangerous
Cunningham’s versatility is a perfect match for Indiana’s up-tempo style. A sharpshooter who drained 37.8% of her three-pointers last season, she thrives in a fast-paced, ball-moving offense. The 6-foot guard adds depth across multiple positions (2, 3, and 4), giving the Fever a lethal lineup flexibility.
“This is a style I thrive in—run-and-gun, shoot, move the ball. I’m just stoked.”
From Diana Taurasi to Caitlin Clark: Passing the Torch?
Cunningham knows a thing or two about playing alongside superstars. She spent six seasons learning from WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, who mentored her through the highs and lows of the league. Now, she finds herself on the same team as the game’s biggest rising star—Caitlin Clark.
The two first met at the WNBA All-Star game, where Cunningham jokingly told Clark: “If you ever want to come to Phoenix, let me know.”
That didn’t quite go as planned—Cunningham is now in Indiana—but she’s embracing the opportunity to help shape Clark’s journey the same way Taurasi shaped hers.
“Clark has changed our game in the best possible way. If I can help take some pressure off her by shooting and spacing the floor, I’ll do it. Diana took me under her wing, and I hope to do the same for Caitlin—if she wants it.”
A New Era for the Fever?
With a stacked roster and a locker room filled with championship DNA, the Indiana Fever isn’t just looking to make the playoffs—they’re looking to make history. And Cunningham? She’s ready for the ride.
“I’ve had an amazing time in Phoenix, but this? This is something special.”
