Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has quickly become the most polarizing player in the WNBA this season.
Cunningham, who is averaging 8.8 points per game this season, has been booed by just about every opposing crowd ever since she spoke up about transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans,” Cunningham told ESPN. “And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images.
During Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Tempo, fans booed Cunningham every time she touched the basketball.
Following the Fever’s win over the Tempo, Cunningham raved about the crowd at Scotiabank Arena.
“I want to shout out the, the Tempo crowd and the city. I think we’ve had so much fun. It’s my first time being in Canada. It’s a lot of our first times being in Canada, but the crowd was absolutely amazing,” Cunningham said, via Daily Mail. “And, you know, I think that’s what sports is all about. You’re going to get boos, you’re going to get cheers. But just the fact that they’re so passionate, they’re loud, and they’re putting on for the city, I think it’s amazing. So shout out to you guys for coming out and supporting.”
The Indiana Fever are peaking at the right time.
The Fever have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, improving their overall record to 24-12. As of this moment, they’re third in the WNBA standings.
If the trio of Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell continue to play well, this team could legitimately make a run to the WNBA Finals.
The Fever have four games remaining until the WNBA goes on an extended break for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
