(8) in the second half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Aside from basketball, Sophie Cunningham also suited up for high school football

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Lawrence Fernandez | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 10:55 PM ET

Indiana Fever shooting guard Sophie Cunningham has become the talk of the town after committing a flagrant foul on the Connecticut Sun’s Jacy Sheldon during their June 18 game. While some basketball fans called the move unnecessary, others understood that it was meant to send a message to the Sun.

Earlier in the game, Connecticut’s Marina Mabrey bumped Caitlin Clark, who reacted to an eye poke by Sheldon. As the game proceeded, Cunningham had Sheldon in a clinch before the referees, and cooler heads stepped in and prevailed.

This action, though it polarizes the opinion of WNBA fans, added over 500,000 followers to her TikTok and doubled her Instagram following.

In addition to becoming a trending topic, Sophie Cunningham’s role as an enforcer for the Fever contributed to the surge in her jersey sales. However, toughness is a part of her DNA, as proven by her sporting career.

According to Outkick’s Bobby Burack, Cunningham earned a taekwondo black belt at six years old. Furthermore, she also played as a football placekicker for Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri. In a video that’s circulating on X/Twitter, Cunningham was seen on the sidelines of a football game and attempting an extra point. She filled in for the team’s kicker, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear, and converted two kicks.

Love this story — Not only did Sophie Cunningham lead her HS basketball team to 3 straight state titles, she also filled in for the football team’s injured kicker, participating in the required 14 practices before making her debut, making 2-of-4 XPs and nailing her kickoffs.… pic.twitter.com/pZqiD0X7Ux
— Indiana Fever ® (@TheIndianaFever) June 19, 2025

However, basketball is Sophie Cunningham’s bread and butter, leading the Rock Bridge girls basketball team to three consecutive state championships. In addition to those titles, she was also a McDonald’s All-American invite during her senior season.

After playing high school basketball, Cunningham stayed in-state by attending the University of Missouri. With the Tigers, she became a three-time First-Team All-SEC member and finished her college basketball career averaging 17 points per game.

Sophie Cunningham started her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, the team that selected her 13 ^th overall in the 2019 draft. This season, the Fever got her via a four-team trade which also involved the Dallas Wings and, ironically, the Sun. Through 188 games, she is averaging 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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