Sophie Cunningham left the Phoenix Mercury about a year and a half ago. After spending the majority of her WNBA career so far with the franchise and in the city, it seems Phoenix hasn’t forgotten Cunningham, even though she is in her second season with the Indiana Fever.
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ESPN writer Michael Voepel brought it up in an interview with Cunningham that he posted about on X. “Asked Sophie Cunningham about how she’s still in advertisements in Phoenix, including in [the] airport. ‘You can’t get rid of me!’ she joked.”
Sophie Cunningham joined the Phoenix Mercury in 2019 as the 13th overall pick. And for Sophie Cunningham, the opportunity to start her career with the Phoenix Mercury, particularly alongside a legendary player like Diana Taurasi, is something she holds with genuine gratitude. And as Voepel also shared on X, she also made that known.
“I’m very blessed to start my career here,” she said, reflecting on the chance to play alongside both Taurasi and Brittney Griner. “Sometimes you get a little too comfortable here in Arizona.”
While the experience in Phoenix is one Cunningham cherishes, she has also found a home with the Indiana Fever. Since joining the team last season, Cunningham has contributed during some big moments. She showed that again when Indiana beat her former team 92-89. night win over her former team, the Phoenix Mercury.
“Thursday, she enjoyed returning to play in Phoenix, where she spent [the] first 6 seasons, but said move to @IndianaFever has been good for her,” Michael Voepel explained in his post.
Sophie Cunningham said Indiana was a better fit
While Sophie Cunningham genuinely found her footing with the Phoenix Mercury, it appears the Indiana Fever’s system gave her something Phoenix could not. For her, the Fever gave her a framework that fits her game more naturally. And that, in large part, was the driving reason behind her decision to switch.
“Go to an organisation that needed my shooting, and that’s more motion-based,” she said, Michael Voepel wrote in another post. “If you look at it as an opportunity, and I did that, let my game still speak for itself.”
Just like she said, the team does actually use a high-pace, motion-heavy offense focused on constant movement. For her, that’s the more ideal play style.
And since arriving with the Fever, it has been quite the journey. She now has a new role, a new identity, and an unexpected elevation into one of the most talked-about players in the league.