WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has a new nickname.
The Indiana Fever guard, who is one of the league’s best 3-point shooters off of the bench, went viral for her off-the-court behavior on Tuesday evening, following Indiana’s blowout win over Minnesota.
“Sophie Cunningham LAUNCHED this ball into the second deck 🤯,” the Indiana Fever announced.
Cunningham responded: “call me Patrick Mahomes from here on out.”
But while Cunningham has a new nickname, her future in the WNBA could be in doubt.
“If I had to predict, Sophie Cunningham is not on the Indiana Fever next year. And there’s a chance she is not in the league next year,” WNBA analyst Robin Lundberg said.
Cunningham could be out of the league by 2027.
“Sophie has been a really good shooter. She’s been a productive player. She’s been a good player. But when you indicate practices are too tough, and then you play seven minutes the next game, people are gonna go, ‘hmm.’ The coach calls out the defense and the rebounding, that’s something you gotta look in the mirror about.”
Cunningham has been setting the table for a future outside of the WNBA, with podcast appearances and other media ventures.
“She’s laying the groundwork for her post playing career now on the podcast. Obviously, she’s extraordinarily popular, and she’s really good at it, giving her unfiltered take, she’s really good at it. No team wants to constantly be talking about what one of the players said. Especially, when it is a role player,” Lundberg added.
The Fever, meanwhile, are dead set on making a run this season, with the WNBA playoffs set to begin season.
Indiana is expected to contend for a WNBA Finals appearance this year, though there are several top-tier teams this season.
