Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has rejected labels such as the “enforcer” and “bodyguard” after being praised for protecting teammate Caitlin Clark. On June 15, 2025, Cunningham earned those tags following her altercation with former Connecticut Sun player Jacy Sheldon.
Cunningham took down Sheldon in response to Clark’s altercation with Sheldon and other Sun players earlier in the game. On Tuesday, in an interview with ESPN, Cunningham said that while she’s protective of her teammates, she isn’t an “enforcer” as many people would say.
“I am not the enforcer, I am not a bodyguard,” Cunningham said. “I am just going to do whatever the team needs. And if my teammates need me to stick up for them, I will do that.”
Cunningham has made a name for herself as one of the fiestiest competitors in the WNBA. It’s what makes her stand out. However, Cunningham is indeed more than just an intangible contributor.
She’s one of the top role players in the league because of her ability to shoot at a high clip and defend the opposing team’s best guards. This season, Cunningham is shooting 43.7% from three, the highest among those averaging at least 4.0 attempts.
Brittney Griner and Kelsey Mitchell hail Sophie Cunningham, the teammate
Sophie Cunningham’s former Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner and current Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell hailed her presence on the court. Griner admitted she would rather have Cunningham on her side, given how “annoying” she can get as an opponent.
“Playing against her, it’s annoying. … But when she’s your teammate, you wouldn’t want anybody else,” Griner Said (via ESPN).
Mitchell praised her as someone who is willing to make sacrifices for the team by being the aggressor.
“I think you always kind of want the grit, the aggressor. That’s Soph. She doesn’t mind getting dirty, she doesn’t mind making it ugly,” Mitchell said (via ESPN). “I love it.”
Every team thrives with a player like that. In the NBA, players like Draymond Green, Dillon Brooks and Marcus Smart can be compared to Sophie Cunningham because of their personalities and intangible contributions.
The Fever lacked a presence like that in Caitlin Clark’s first season. It allowed teams to get a mental advantage as Indiana was comparatively young and inexperienced. However, with Sophie Cunningham now on the roster, it has proven difficult for teams to get under the Fever’s skin.
Read more:
- Sabrina Ionescu Drops One-Word Reaction to Fact-Check Claim About Rejecting WNBA All-Star 3-Point Shooting Contest
- “The League Quite Literally Does Need Her”: Fans Hail Caitlin Clark As Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty Breaks WNBA Viewership Record
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