For Sophie Cunningham, the timing was everything.
In February, fever acquired Phoenix veteran custody in a business with four teams also involving Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings.
That was exactly what Cunningham needed after “having become too comfortable” for six seasons in Phoenix.
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Now, she tells the post that she is equipped to thrive under the spotlight while playing alongside the superstar of the Caitlin Clark fever.
“I think that since I have been here in Phoenix, it has not always been easy,” said Cunningham, 28, while discussing his partnership with Nutrition in search. “There have been many tests. There have been a lot of lessons learned, a lot of experiences that I thought I was like any WNBA team, but I think it built me. It made me more difficult. It tested my perseverance and my a little mental mind.
“I think it built me for something bigger and better, and the scene that we are about to be with the players with whom I am about to be – I think I am built for that.
Quest Nutrition is organizing a watch party with Sophie Cunningham at the Inn Stumble on Saturday March 29, 2025 in New York. AP
“And that does not mean that it will always be rainbows and butterflies … Each season has their thing. But I just have the impression that when you are in a good spirit and that you are with very good people who have a common goal (it works).”
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Cunningham said that it is impatiently awaiting an extended role in the attack by head coach Stephanie White, who is designed to travel the second year goalkeeper, Clark – the overall choice n ° 1 of the Indiana in the draft of last year and the recruit of the year of the WNBA 2024.
The generational talent, who has become the top scorer of all time in NCAA for men and women in basketball while it was in Iowa, was the engine of the exponential growth of female collegial hoops and WNBA in the viewer and income.
Caitlin Clark # 22 of Indiana fever brings the ball on the ground against the wings of Dallas to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty images
Clark’s fame has placed the team under a microscope, which opened the flood doors to constant examination and attention.
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The fever had to increase safety when they wrote the legend of Hawkeyes.
None of this is intimidating for Cunningham, which is ready to continue a championship with the new fever.
Sophie Cunningham # 9 of Phoenix Mercury reacts after a three -point shot against the New York Liberty during the first half of the WNBA match at Footprint Center on July 7, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty images
“I think that is why they brought a lot of veterans who have this experience,” said Cunningham. “And I am not saying that they have the experience of hundreds of millions of followers who look at you, looking at each step, but I have the impression of having brought an experience of how to gelify the changing rooms.
“When you are closely knitted in the locker room and out of the field, and you have this chemistry … it automatically turns to this in the field, and you don’t have to worry about all the noise. And you know what I think? The noise is good when you have as many eyes.
Caitlin Clark # 22 of Indiana Fever and Diana Taurasi # 3 of Phoenix Mercury Talk during the match between Indiana fever and Phoenix Mercury on June 30, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NBAE via Getty Images
“… It’s a year of growth. And so, for me to go be part of a team that has a lot of eyes on this subject, it will also be huge. But I focus on the field and winning ball games and winning championships.”
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The fever will have 41 of their 44 television games this season.
Indiana has also signed the veterans Dewanna Bonner and Natasha Howard, both ancient WNBA champions, this off -season.
In addition to White, the fever hired Amber Cox as Director General.
Indiana Fever President of Basketball and Business Operations, Kelly Krauskopf, and Indiana Fever Coo and Managing Director, Amber Cox, presented Sophie Cunningham on Tuesday March 11, 2025. Clark Wade / Indystar / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Images
Cunningham explained that she was entering this revitalized season and ready for everything you need to win a title with the franchise.
“I’m just refocused. There is a different type of atmosphere and energy about me, “she said. “I think I’m always a little happy, I’m lucky, go with the flow, and I’m still that. But I’m also ready to compose and get a championship, because this is something that I haven’t done yet, and so I’m going to do anything in my power to help my team do this
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“… it’s time for me to go up. It is time for me to go up level on my nutrition, how I manage myself, how I treat my body, my level of training, the way I treat my teammates, the way I will direct. I just think it’s a year of first and I am excited for all this. ”
Sophie Cunningham showed her viral cut dress in front of a Mercury game. Instagram / Sophie Cunningham
The Mercury selected Cunningham out of the Missouri with the 13th choice in total in the second round of the 2019 draft.
She quickly attracted attention to her fiery fashion and her frank behavior.
Cunningham was known to do the dirty job, defend painting and be a constant shooting game under the mentoring of the legend of the Wnba Diana Taurasi in Phoenix.
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“I think that I became too comfortable here (in Phoenix) in a system that was more, perhaps a v-one, and my role was to go by, or simply to spot the shooting. Also.
“For me, few people have this opportunity in their career to go somewhere where they think they are going to prosper, and that the people around them will prosper and make sure everyone is confident and have fun and win ball games. It’s just a new and excellent opportunity.”
During the 2024 season, Cunningham collected 21 departures and collected on average 8.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
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The opportunity to play for fever alongside Clark, Bonner, Howard and the old choice n ° 1 Aliyah Boston – and get closer to his home (Missouri) – was an ideal situation for Cunningham.
The fever has acquired Cunningham and selection n ° 19 in the recovery of the Mercury WNBA 2025.
Sophie Cunningham of Indiana fever poses with her jersey at an introductory press conference on March 11, 2025 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
In addition, the Indiana received the Jaelyn Brown striker from Dallas Wings and the two teams exchanged third round choices during the 2027 draft.
The Wings made Nalyssa Smith advance, and the sun received the choice n ° 8 in the 2025 Indiana draft.
The fever has finished the regular season of 2024 with a 20-20 file and in third place in the East Conference, making the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Indiana will open its season by organizing the sky of Chicago on May 17.
