Sophie Cunningham is undoubtedly one of the most beloved players on the Indiana Fever. After being acquired from the Phoenix Mercury before the 2025 season, the veteran guard quickly became an elite contributor until her first year in Indianapolis came to a heartbreaking end.
Cunningham suffered a season-ending torn right MCL during an August game against the Connecticut Sun after a collision in the paint, which ended her season after just 30 games. She later re-signed with Indiana ahead of the 2026 season.
Now in her eighth WNBA season, Cunningham has responded with one of the finest campaigns of her career. Through 21 games, she is averaging 9.1 points, the third-highest of her WNBA career, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
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But long before arriving in Indianapolis, Cunningham spent the first six seasons of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury after being selected by the franchise in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft. During her entire tenure in Phoenix, she shared the locker room with Diana Taurasi, who spent all 20 seasons of her Hall of Fame career with the Mercury before retiring following the 2024 season.
In March 2025, the Mercury announced they will retire Taurasi’s iconic No. 3 jersey and induct her into the franchise’s Ring of Honor on Aug. 16.
Before Indiana’s Thursday game against Phoenix, ClutchPoints’ Hayden Cilley asked Cunningham what the honor means for her former teammate.
“I just love her, man. There’s never going to be another Diana Taurasi, ever,” Cunningham said. “I think she’s the one who taught me how to be the ultimate pro. I just think that she’s gold down to the core. What she did for our game, what she’s going to continue to do for our game is awesome.”
When asked whether she planned to attend the ceremony, Cunningham offered a lighthearted response.
“I’ll probably be playing but if my mom wants me to call in sick, then yeah, I’ll be there.”
Taurasi served as a mentor to Cunningham from the day she entered the WNBA. She retired as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, winning three WNBA championships, two WNBA Finals MVP awards, the 2009 WNBA MVP, while earning 11 All-Star selections, 10 All-WNBA First Team honors, five scoring titles, and six Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
