When Caitlin Clark joined the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 overall pick and the most hyped rookie in WNBA history, she expected to carry the spotlight. What she didn’t expect was for one of her teammates—newcomer Sophie Cunningham—to emerge as a fan favorite in her own right,

When Caitlin Clark joined the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the expectations were sky-high — and rightly so. She arrived with the kind of hype rarely seen in professional basketball, a transcendent talent with college records, global recognition, and the future of the WNBA riding on her shoulders. Everyone expected her to be the centerpiece. Everyone expected her to lead. And she has.

But what nobody quite expected was the rapid rise of Sophie Cunningham, a seemingly underrated offseason acquisition who’s become something of a cult hero in Indiana — and a legitimate co-star in what’s become one of the most compelling stories in professional sports.

Clark brings flash, finesse, and highlight-reel brilliance. Her step-back threes from the logo, pinpoint passes, and jaw-dropping court vision have lived up to the billing. But in Sophie Cunningham, the Fever gained something just as valuable — edge, grit, and unapologetic fire.

Cunningham, 28, signed with Indiana in the offseason after spending the first five years of her career with the Phoenix Mercury. Known for her relentless motor, emotional intensity, and ability to light up from three-point range, she was initially seen as a depth pickup — a veteran presence who could stabilize a young roster. But from the opening tip of the 2025 season, it was clear: Cunningham wasn’t just there to support. She was there to lead — in her own loud, scrappy, and unfiltered way.

“Sophie brings the heat every single night,” Fever head coach Christie Sides said. “She plays like every possession is the last of her life. That kind of passion is infectious.”

Within weeks of Cunningham’s debut in a Fever jersey, she began to earn a special kind of respect from Indiana fans — the kind usually reserved for underdogs and enforcers. Whether it was her trash talk, her hustle plays, or her refusal to back down from anyone — including the league’s toughest defenders — Cunningham quickly became a fan favorite in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Clark and Cunningham couldn’t be more different in terms of style. But that contrast is exactly what has made them one of the most beloved duos in the league.

Clark plays with surgical skill and creative poise; Cunningham plays like she’s been dared to win a fight every night.

Clark draws the spotlight with ease; Cunningham throws herself into it like a bouncer breaking up a brawl.

Together, they’ve formed the heart and soul of an Indiana team that’s gone from rebuilding project to legitimate championship contender.

“I love Sophie,” Clark said after a game in June. “She’s always the first one to have your back. She’ll dive for a loose ball, take a charge, hit a clutch three, and then tell the other bench about it. She’s everything you want in a teammate.”

While Cunningham has often made headlines for her on-court confrontations — never afraid to mix it up, jaw with opponents, or defend a teammate — her game speaks just as loudly.

She’s averaging 12.8 points per game, shooting 41% from deep, and posting career highs in rebounds and assists. But her real value comes from the intangible things: drawing offensive fouls, igniting bench celebrations, and being the emotional thermostat for the team.

Multiple Fever players credit Cunningham with “bringing the dog out” of them — a mentality shift that’s turned Indiana into a team nobody wants to mess with.

“She’s got that crazy you need in a championship run,” said veteran guard Erica Wheeler. “And when Sophie’s fired up, the whole team feeds off it.”

Cunningham’s authenticity has been part of her rise. In press conferences, she’s unfiltered. On social media, she’s relatable. And during games, she never hides how she feels.

That transparency has created a bond with fans who admire her blue-collar approach and fearless attitude. When she tangled with opponents in a chippy win over New York, the Gainbridge crowd gave her a standing ovation. When she drilled a buzzer-beating three in a road win against Minnesota, she turned to the hostile crowd with a smirk and a shush — and instantly became a viral sensation.

“She’s chaotic in the best way,” one fan tweeted. “She’s OUR chaos.”

That kind of energy — especially paired with Clark’s elegance — has created an identity for the Fever that goes beyond the box score.

The chemistry between Clark and Cunningham is more than surface-level. On the court, they play like they’ve known each other for years. Off the court, they’re reportedly inseparable — with Cunningham often acting as both big sister and bodyguard for the league’s most-talked-about player.

Cunningham has openly defended Clark from critics and opponents alike, calling out what she views as excessive fouls, double standards, and “targeted nonsense” aimed at her younger teammate.

“Caitlin’s handling this league with class,” Cunningham told reporters. “But if you come after her, you’re coming through me first.”

That loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed. In a league where rivalries run hot and respect must be earned, Cunningham has made it clear: she’s got Clark’s back — every game, every minute.

“They’re the best kind of duo,” Coach Sides said. “They push each other, challenge each other, and most importantly — they trust each other.”

The Cunningham-Clark pairing has become symbolic of something bigger in Indiana: a team that refuses to back down, refuses to be the underdog, and is quietly plotting its takeover.

With a resurgent frontcourt in Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith, a rapidly improving bench unit, and strong chemistry throughout the locker room, the Fever are now viewed as one of the most dangerous teams in the league — and one of the most marketable.

Ticket sales are up. National broadcasts are increasing. And the team’s energy — fueled in part by Cunningham’s unapologetic fire — has made Indiana one of the most entertaining shows in basketball

While Clark’s arrival was expected to shake up the WNBA, the rise of Cunningham as a beloved co-star has been an unexpected bonus — and perhaps a crucial piece of Indiana’s winning puzzle.

She’s the fan’s player — tough, emotional, loyal, and unpredictable.

She’s also the perfect complement to Clark’s cool precision, offering the emotional depth and veteran toughness that every great team needs in its locker room.

Together, they’ve turned Indiana into more than a team. They’ve turned it into a movement.

“We’re just getting started,” Cunningham said recently. “People better get used to seeing us win.”

Caitlin Clark might be the face of the Indiana Fever, the league’s brightest star, and the player whose jersey is flying off shelves from Iowa to Indiana. But Sophie Cunningham is the soul — the heartbeat, the sparkplug, the wild card that gives the Fever their identity.

In a sport where chemistry often beats raw talent, where energy fuels momentum, and where culture shapes championships, the Fever may have found the ultimate duo.

Caitlin Clark brought the spotlight.
Sophie Cunningham brought the smoke.
Together, they might just bring a title back to Indiana.

No apologies. No backing down. Just hoops. Just heart.
Welcome to the new Indiana Fever — and make no mistake: Sophie Cunningham is here to stay.