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For the early part of her debut season in the WNBA, the story around rookie superstar Caitlin Clark was how much her Indiana Fever teammates sat by and watched her get pushed around. That changed slightly as the season went on, but it’s safe to say it won’t be an issue in Clark’s sophomore campaign, thanks in large part to new teammate Sophie Cunningham.
Cunningham, a six-year WNBA veteran, joined the Fever in a four-team trade during the offseason. Shortly after the move, she discussed the importance of Clark to Indiana’s success as well as her willingness to do whatever it takes to support the young superstar.
“When you’re trying to do something great, it takes everybody.”
“I want her to do her thing.”
“Anything she needs from me, I’m gonna be here.”
“I stick up for my teammates. “
Sophie knows Caitlin is the goat🥹 pic.twitter.com/2rO0sIDGdg
— drafts (@drafts95452567) March 11, 2025
Sophie Cunningham Is More Than Ready To Stand Up For New Teammate Caitlin Clark
“When you’re trying to do something great, it takes everybody. And so I want her to do her thing,” Cunningham said of Clark. “Anything she needs from me, I’m gonna be here. But again, I think that just the competitor that I am, I’m fierce, I’m sassy, I stick up for my teammates, stick up for myself,” she added. “Sometimes, I think that it’s okay to be feisty and to be yourself.”
Clark did not play in Indiana’s first preseason game on Saturday against the Washington Mystics. But Cunningham still proved that she’s more than just talk. In addition to an impressive 21-point, eight-rebound showing, Cunningham got into a physical altercation with rookie Kiki Iriafen after a hard foul and had a message for the newcomer.
sophie cunningham to kiki iriafen after she commits a flagrant foul, grabbing her while she’s in the air:
“you don’t motherfucking do that. you don’t motherfucking do that.” pic.twitter.com/M3dBlC11eW
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) May 3, 2025
“You don’t f—ing do that,” Cunningham said as she got in Iriafen’s face after the play. “You don’t f—king do that.”
Iriafen was assed a flagrant foul on the play and it appeared she heard Cunningham’s message loudly and clearly. Indiana needed more veteran leadership and toughness if it wanted to become a real contender in 2025. And it certainly appears they got a bit of both in the form of Cunningham. Clark, meanwhile, will likely have to spend less time worrying about other teams taking cheap shots at her this season.