Sophie Cunningham has become a fan favorite since joining the Indiana Fever, known for her energy, toughness and larger-than-life personality. A 13th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft, she spent six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to Indiana, where she quickly became an important piece of the rotation alongside teammates like Caitlin Clark.
A veteran scorer and defender, Cunningham was playing some of her best basketball before suffering a season-ending torn MCL in her right knee during a game against the Connecticut Sun in August.
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The injury was confirmed by MRI and ruled her out for the remainder of the year, following surgery and months of rehab. Despite missing the end of the season, she averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while giving fans plenty of memorable moments on both ends of the court.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
Off the court, Cunningham has become equally beloved for her vibrant personality and willingness to engage with fans on social media. She is known for her candid stories, her sense of humor, and sharing pieces of her life beyond basketball — from weekend outings to her close relationships with family and friends.
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On Tuesday, Cunningham announced some sad news on her Instagram stories about one of her most cherished companions: her horse, who had just passed away.
“Fly high to my very first horse, Bea! Best horse ever 💛” Cunningham captioned the post with a photo of her beloved horse.
“She was about to turn 36! The sweetest, most gentle horse. 😔 Sad day,” she added in another post.
Cunningham has long been open about her love for horses, frequently posting pictures and videos with Bea and reflecting on riding during her upbringing. Her followers have seen many of those moments, from relaxed ranch days to heartfelt captions celebrating her bond with her horse.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.