Sophie Cunningham is entering her sixth season in the WNBA after being drafted 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2019.
Cunningham’s Development
The Missouri native started just over 24% of games through her first three seasons before taking off in 2022, where she averaged 12.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on incredible 45/40/88 shooting splits.
This season earned her third in Most Improved Player voting behind Aces guard Jackie Young and Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
While speaking to the media during training camp on Thursday, Cunningham expressed how special the Mercury’s culture change is with new head coach Nate Tibbetts.
“I’ve been here for five years going on six and I’ve had four head coaches already,” Cunningham said. “The culture has been crazy, there really hasn’t been a culture but there’s a culture now.”
Last year, Phoenix missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012 but they are now as confident as ever heading into the new season.
Offseason Additions
The hire of Tibbetts, who coached in the NBA for over a decade, along with their several roster changes over the offseason gives this team championship-contending potential.
The Mercury acquired former Finals MVP Kahleah Copper and forward Morgan Bertsch in a trade where they sent the 2024 third-overall pick to the Chicago Sky. Cooper finished seventh in scoring last season, averaging 18.7 points per game while shooting over 40% from behind the arc.
Chicago ultimately selected South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso with the pick.
Bolstering their backcourt, the team brought in WNBA champion and All-Defensive star guard Natasha Cloud, traded for former Connecticut Sun guard Rebecca Allen, and drafted Nebraska guard Jaz Shelly.
Winning Culture
All these changes signify that the team is ready to win now and has the roster to do so.
The coaching staff and players are holding themselves accountable and will not accept anything short of success going forward.
“I really do appreciate that they (the coaches) came in and held a standard not only for us players but they have a standard for themselves, for our training staff, anyone in the front office and when we’re all on the same page, I think that’s what builds a winning culture,” Cunningham said.
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