Sophie Cunningham was exactly where you’d expect—poolside under the scorching Phoenix sun—when she got the news.
In the biggest trade in WNBA history, she was leaving the Mercury, the only team she’d ever known, for the Indiana Fever—a squad that’s quickly shaping up to be one of the most dangerous in the league.
“You guys will learn that if I’m not in the gym, I’m normally by the pool,” Cunningham joked to reporters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday morning. “I was actually poolside when I found out, and there’s a lot of emotions just because I have been out there so long, but to be honest, my original thought was ‘heck yeah, we’re about to go win a championship.’”
A New Chapter in Indiana
At 28 years old, Cunningham is heading into her seventh WNBA season. Drafted 13th overall in 2019, she spent her entire career with Phoenix, playing the role of a gritty, hard-nosed competitor who could heat up from deep when needed. Averaging 7.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, she’s never been a star, but she’s the kind of player every championship team needs: tough, fearless, and unshakably confident.
She had signed a one-year, $100,000 extension with the Mercury for 2025, but fate—and the Fever’s aggressive roster shake-up—had other plans. Now, she’s getting a fresh start closer to home and to her alma mater, the University of Missouri.
A Perfect Fit for the Fever
“I’m stoked, I’m so, so excited,” Cunningham said. “I think it’s refreshing. I’ve been in Phoenix for the past six years, was drafted out there, I’ve had a really great time, been really blessed … the offense is more my style (here), but I’m also surrounded by a great culture and great people, and that’s what I’m really excited about here in Indiana.”
With Caitlin Clark now in the mix and the Fever stacking their roster with talent, Cunningham’s veteran presence and sharpshooting could be exactly what Indiana needs to take that next step. One thing’s for sure: she’s already bringing championship energy.
Last modified: March 13, 2025
