The Indiana Fever have been on a great run the past two WNBA seasons. In 2024, they finished the season with a 20-20 record, their first .500 finish since 2016. The following year, they added the 6-foot-1 forward Sophie Cunningham on a multi-team trade.
In the 2025 season, the Fever finished with a 24-20 record, the best in franchise history. Not only that, but they also won the WNBA Commissioner Cup. Since she arrived in Indiana, Cunningham has been dubbed the Fever’s “enforcer.” This was after she was ejected during a game against the Connecticut Sun for grabbing Jacy Sheldon.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) warms up before a game.
Sophie Cunningham gears up for her return to the Indiana Fever
Cunningham played four years for the University of Missouri. She averaged 17 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the Tigers. During the 2019 WNBA Draft, Cunningham was drafted with the 13th pick in the second round by the Phoenix Mercury.
Cunningham played in Phoenix for six years, and she averaged 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Before the 2025 season, the Fever traded for Cunningham to bolster their roster alongside star Caitlin Clark. In 30 games for Indiana, Cunningham had a career-best 46.9% field goal percentage. She also shot 43.2% from three, her career high.
After becoming an integral part of the Fever’s roster, Cunningham suffered a season-ending injury. She tore her right MCL during a game against the Sun when guard Bria Hartley landed on her leg.
As she is recovering from her season-ending knee injury, Cunningham shared that she underwent a major change this offseason. Previously listed at 165 lbs, she revealed that she is now down to 148.5 lbs.
“Need to gain 5lbs,” she said on her Instagram story.
Cunningham lost 16.5 lbs, which is staggering for a professional athlete. As she said, however, she intends to put on at least five pounds before the start of the new WNBA season.
This is a big deal for the defending WNBA Commissioners Cup champions. It shows that their “enforcer” is staying fit and excited to return for the Fever next season. As for Indiana, which lost in the semifinals of last year’s playoffs, they are looking to win it all this year.
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