Sophie Cunningham’s Harsh Words for Angel Reese Point to Silent Caitlin Clark & Co. Reality

“Make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.” Angel Reese’s harsh words in her interview with the Chicago Tribune show that her frustrations with the team have finally boiled over. And, since the debate hasn’t rested just yet, one of the W’s outspoken stars is here to weigh in. Though she ain’t standing in Reese’s corner this time!

As the former LSU Tigress’ comments stirred debate, Sophie Cunningham, never one to shy away from speaking up, shared her thoughts on the whole saga. “Like I get when you’re losing and it’s been a frustrating season, like everyone is feeling those emotions, and when I say everyone, like it’s not just her, like I’m sure her teammates feel it, her coaches feel it, the organization, the fans, like literally everyone feels that, and there’s some things that you… there’s just some things that you can’t say,” Sophie said on her podcast, Show Me Something, on Tuesday.

Sure, as a player, you might have opinions, but voicing them in public isn’t ideal. Especially when your teammates had been with you through thick and thin. Remember when Ariel Atkins threw herself up at the media just to protect Angel Reese from questions? And it’s something that even AR herself admitted to. “I don’t think I’m frustrated. I probably am frustrated with myself right now. I think the language is taken out of context, and I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year… So I would apologize to my teammates, which I already have, about the article, and how it was misconstrued about what was said,” she shared when asked about her comments. But was it enough? A big no.

Especially when it’s about her mates. “Absolutely,” Courtney Vandersloot shared recently when asked about her return next season. “Contrary to what people say or think, my age is absolutely not a factor. I’m coming back. I’m gonna come back better than ever.” That was a jab at Reese, who pointed out that the Sky can’t rely on “Courtney to come back at the age she’s at.” And Sloot was just one name on Reese’s criticism list.

But what makes AR’s comments even more intriguing is that she’s not the only one going through it all, as Sophie mentioned. Yes, the Sky had one of the worst runs with a 10–33 record, but the entire roster was with her all this time. So, her speaking up feels unusual in the women’s game. Especially since WNBA players haven’t often used their platforms to challenge front offices to make bold demands like NBA players.

But this ain’t the only lesson Sophie Cunningham’s got for Reese. She even highlighted Indy’s locker room culture, giving her own example. “I think one of my biggest things is I’m a very team-first person, like I always give the team before my feelings, and I think that should be a standard. And so you gotta protect your locke, and so you just can’t be saying everything you’re feeling because that just is not a good look, and then your teammates feel a certain way, and that causes division in a locker room. So it’s just protect your locker room at all costs, and I’m sure she regrets saying that, don’t get me wrong.” While her comments look harsh, they do hold some truth.

Despite battling one of their toughest seasons, losing five players to season-ending injuries, the Indiana Fever locker room stayed resilient. And while Boston was among “the most affected persons due to injuries,” she never voiced concerns. But each player stood out and clung to their rallying cry, “All you have, all you need.” Finally, Indy managed to secure back-to-back playoff berths for the first time since 2015–16. This proves their success comes not just from skills but from a disciplined blueprint. But this isn’t just a player-led initiative.

The Indiana Fever’s got players’ first culture, as Sophie Cunningham alluded to

Every time the Indiana Fever approaches a player, there are clear checklists they’ve got. And at the top, there’s a team-first culture. Be it draft picks or free agents, the approach is the same. Even when they picked up Sydney Colson this offseason, they ensured it all. “When Amber [Cox] and I started talking from the beginning, we started talking about people first,” shared Kelly Krauskopf. “I think initially it did start with, every one of these players [we’re adding] has a high level of character and integrity. I’m just a real proponent of, when shots don’t fall, what do you fall back on? Your culture.”

Even when DeWanna Bonner felt she wasn’t a fit, the team opened gates for her. But all this while, Bonner and Indy’s current players remained tight-lipped. Especially when the team was undergoing a tough phase without Caitlin Clark on the roster. But nothing came from players except that Bonner owed them a goodbye message, considering the bond they’ve got.

So, Indy’s locker room is something every player’s eager to join. As CC puts it better: “They’re [Indy’s locker room] not just really good basketball players, they’re great leaders and great people, and I know the front office prioritized that.” This is where the Chicago Sky can take a leaf out of the Indiana Fever’s book and read the chapter: How to keep your stars happy?