Sophie Cunningham’s Indiana Fever profile
Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham was born on August 16, 1996, in Columbia, Missouri, and now plays guard for the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. She wears jersey No. 8 and stands 6 feet 1 inch tall.
Cunningham played college basketball at the University of Missouri from 2015 to 2019 before the Phoenix Mercury drafted her 13th overall in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft. She joined the Fever in 2025.
Analyst questions Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA future
On Sept. 21, 2026, analyst Robin Lundberg predicted that Sophie Cunningham would not return to the Indiana Fever in 2027 and said there was a chance she could be out of the WNBA. His remarks were a prediction, not a report of a roster decision.
Lundberg praised Cunningham’s shooting and production but questioned her playing time after she logged 7 minutes against Washington. He also discussed her comments about the Fever’s practices and coach Stephanie White’s remarks about defense and rebounding.
Sophie Cunningham logs a season low against Mystics
Sophie Cunningham played a season-low 7 minutes in Indiana’s 93-77 home loss to Washington on Sept. 20, 2026. She scored 0 points, had 0 rebounds and 0 assists, and missed both of her field-goal attempts.
The outing followed the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup break. Cunningham returned to a larger role against Minnesota on Sept. 22, playing 29 minutes and scoring 11 points in a 96-77 Fever win.
Sophie Cunningham’s contract ends after 2026
Cunningham signed a one-year, $665,000 contract with the Indiana Fever in April 2026, according to Spotrac. She said she received multi-year offers from other WNBA teams but chose to return to Indiana.
Because the contract covers only the 2026 season, Cunningham’s deal expires after the season. She will be eligible to explore her next contract during 2027 WNBA free agency, giving her the opportunity to negotiate with Indiana or other teams.
Sophie Cunningham’s 2026 numbers through Sept. 22
Through 42 games in 2026, Sophie Cunningham was averaging 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists for Indiana. Her career averages at that point were 7.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Her playing time varied sharply in the Fever’s next two documented games: She played 7 minutes against Washington on Sept. 20, then 29 minutes against Minnesota on Sept. 22. She scored 11 points in the win over the Lynx.
Sophie Cunningham’s season high shows upside
Earlier in the 2026 season, Cunningham scored a season-high 24 points against Toronto on June 16. She shot 8-for-11 from the field and made 6 of 7 3-point attempts, showing the scoring burst she can provide off the bench.
That performance stands in sharp contrast to her 0-point outing against Washington on September 20. The difference between those games highlights how much her production can vary from one matchup to another. Her recent playing-time changes have also prompted questions about her role with the Fever.
Sophie Cunningham’s record setting Mizzou run
Before the WNBA, Cunningham starred at the University of Missouri from 2015 to 2019, becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer. She earned first-team All-SEC honors three times, from 2017 through 2019.
Cunningham was also named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2016 and was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of Rock Bridge High School in her hometown of Columbia, Missouri. She is now a member of the Mizzou Hall of Fame.
Sophie Cunningham spent 6 seasons with Phoenix
The Phoenix Mercury drafted Cunningham 13th overall in 2019, and she stayed with the team through the 2024 season. She appeared in 182 games for Phoenix, the 8th most games played in franchise history overall.
Cunningham scored 1,409 points with the Mercury, ranking ninth in franchise history. She also made 254 3-pointers, the 4th most in team history, while averaging 7.7 points per game across her 6 seasons in Phoenix.
Trade brought Sophie Cunningham to Indiana
A 4-team trade sent Sophie Cunningham from Phoenix to Indiana on Jan. 31, 2025. In her first Fever season, she scored 257 points in 30 games, the 5th-most on the team.
Cunningham helped Indiana win its first WNBA Commissioner’s Cup in 2025. She scored 13 points in the championship game, the team’s 2nd-highest total.
Fun fact: Sophie Cunningham is the 7th member of her athletic family to represent the University of Missouri, carrying on a deep-rooted Mizzou legacy.
Sophie Cunningham’s MCL tear ended her 2025
Cunningham suffered a season-ending MCL tear in August 2025, cutting short her first year with the Fever. The injury forced her to miss the entire 2025 postseason during Indiana’s run to the WNBA semifinals.
Without her, the Fever advanced to the WNBA semifinals before losing a 5-game series to the Las Vegas Aces. The injury ended Cunningham’s season after she had scored 257 points and helped Indiana win the Commissioner’s Cup earlier that year.
Sophie Cunningham launches new podcast in 2026
Cunningham launched a new podcast called “No Hesitation” on September 10, 2026, co-hosting with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen through The Volume. Hanlen has worked with NBA players including Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.
The show followed Cunningham’s previous podcast, “Show Me Something“, which she co-hosted with reality TV personality West Wilson. Cunningham and Hanlen discuss WNBA and NBA storylines, players, and teams, with new episodes released weekly.
Where could Sophie Cunningham play in 2027?
Sophie Cunningham’s one-year contract with Indiana covers the 2026 season, leaving her next WNBA deal undecided. Her outside shooting gives the Fever and other teams a clear part of her game to evaluate when she reaches free agency.
Cunningham has said she chose Indiana over multiyear offers from other teams before this season. No 2027 destination is established by that earlier interest; her next move will depend on the offers available when free agency begins.
Sophie Cunningham has drawn fresh attention as fans discuss her latest public moments. Explore why Sophie Cunningham fuels romance speculation involving a former WNBA staffer.
Sophie Cunningham’s next contract remains undecided
Indiana was 28-15 after beating Minnesota 96-77 on Sept. 22, 2026. Sophie Cunningham scored 11 points in 29 minutes in that game, following a scoreless, 7-minute outing against Washington. Her minutes were changing as the Fever approached the playoffs.
Cunningham’s one-year contract ends after the 2026 season. Analyst Robin Lundberg has questioned whether she will remain with Indiana or join another WNBA team in 2027, but her next team has not yet been decided.
Sophie Cunningham has opened up about a lesser-known tradition around WNBA games. Sophie Cunningham reveals why WNBA jersey swaps are uncommon and explains the reason behind the unusual practice.
Do you think Sophie Cunningham will still be on the Indiana Fever roster in 2027? Tell us your prediction in the comments below.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
