Sophie Cunningham Shares Basketball Plan After 8th WNBA Season

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Sophie Cunningham Shares Basketball Plan After 8th WNBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 12, 2026 4:02 PM ET

Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever fell short of expectations once again during the 2026 WNBA season, falling to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs. Now, Cunningham sees her one-year deal with the Fever come to an end, entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Cunningham has become a solid role player during her eight seasons in the WNBA, including the previous two in Indiana. Through 108 career games, the former Missouri Tigers and Phoenix Mercury guard is averaging 7.9 points on 43.3% shooting, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

But Cunningham believes she still has room to improve on the court, which is one reason she brought basketball trainer Drew Hanlen on as the co-host of her rebranded podcast, “No Hesitation Show.”

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) looks on during a game.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In the most recent episode of Cunningham’s podcast, Hanlen helped break down a few of her plays, including on the defensive side of the ball. When he pointed out what Cunningham could improve on, the Fever star agreed, sharing that she plans to expand her game this offseason.

“Another place that you can really grow and expand your game is defense,” Hanlen said. “Let’s start with some good possessions. Look, you’re into the ball right here. Then, look at you into the ball. I love this, into the ball. Perfect. Move your feet, contest, make it hard. That is awesome, you need to do that way more. Look, into the ball, high hands, really good job staying down, contest. There are some good possessions but the first thing you have to do a better job of is getting into the ball.”

“I feel like when I am into the ball, I have more physical control and so I can control where they go maybe a little bit more, where if I’m not touching them, I’m reacting to them, and that’s never good,” Cunningham added. “I am not satisfied where I’m at. I think there’s so much more in my tank. And I just need people like you to help me, first of all, be aware of what I’m not doing. Be aware of what I am doing, but it’s time to expand. This is going to be a great offseason.”

“I am not satisfied with where I’m at. I think there’s so much more in my tank … It’s time to expand.” — Drew and Sophie dive into some of Sophie’s film pic.twitter.com/ln75Ru71uL
— No Hesitation Show (@NoHesiShow) November 12, 2026