WNBA star Sophie Cunningham rejoins Fever after emerging as fan favorite

Sophie Cunningham emerged arsenic 1 of nan leaders connected nan Indiana Fever during nan 2025 play arsenic she fiercely defended Caitlin Clark and nan remainder of her teammates astatine various points of nan year.

Cunningham was posed pinch nan mobility of whether she will return to Indiana for astatine slightest nan 2026 play arsenic she was group to beryllium a free agent. However, connected Sunday, she made nan determination to return to nan Fever.

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Chicago Cubs halfway fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong talks to WNBA prima Sophie Cunningham earlier a crippled against nan Colorado Rockies astatine Sloan Park successful Mesa, Ariz., connected Feb. 25, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)

Indiana and Cunningham agreed to a one-year contract, nan squad announced.

"We had a really typical group past twelvemonth and it was an unthinkable first play for maine successful Indy; I loved everything astir my teammates and nan Fever organization," she said, via nan team’s website. "We fought done a ton of adversity, and it was important to maine that we person a chance to spot done what we started.

"I person a emotion this is going to beryllium different typical season, truthful I’m excited to get things started and to, of course, support playing successful beforehand of nan champion fans successful nan WNBA. Let’s get spicy!"

Indiana Fever subordinate Sophie Cunningham reacts aft nan Fever defeated nan Atlanta Dream successful crippled 3 of information 1 of nan 2025 WNBA Playoffs astatine Gateway Center Arena successful College Park, Ga., connected Sept. 18, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

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Cunningham played 30 games for Indiana earlier her season was trim short owed to an MCL tear. She averaged 8.6 points per crippled and changeable a career-high 43.2% from 3-point range.

The Fever expect her to beryllium a cardinal portion for nan squad looking to make a title run.

"I deliberation she’s ever consenting to measurement successful and do immoderate it takes to win," Fever wide head Amber Cox said.

"… When you person a shooter for illustration Sophie – personification who’s consistently astatine nan apical of nan convention each azygous twelvemonth successful position of her effectiveness from beyond nan arc – that really helps everybody other excessively … Everything she brings to nan array arsenic a competitor, I deliberation will effect us."

Indiana Fever defender Sophie Cunningham reacts during a WNBA crippled against nan Phoenix Mercury astatine PHX Arena successful Phoenix, Ariz., connected Aug. 7, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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Even pinch injuries to Cunningham and Clark, Indiana vanished 3rd successful nan Eastern Conference pinch a 24-20 record. Indiana upset nan Atlanta Dream successful nan first information of nan playoffs but mislaid to nan Las Vegas Aces successful 5 games successful nan semifinals.

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