The Indiana Fever have officially brought back one of their most dynamic pieces, agreeing to terms with free-agent guard Sophie Cunningham on a new contract ahead of the 2026 WNBA season. The former Mizzou star, acquired via trade from the Phoenix Mercury prior to the 2025 campaign, will return for a second season in Indianapolis, continuing a partnership that already produced championship hardware.
“We are thrilled to have Sophie back with the Fever and are grateful for her commitment to return and build on what we started a year ago,” said COO and General Manager Amber Cox. “Not only is Sophie one of the best three-point shooters in the league, but she is an exceptional teammate, both on and off the court. She plays with infectious energy that impacts not only our team, but our fanbase as well.”
Cunningham echoed that sentiment, reflecting on a memorable first year in Indy. “We had a really special group last year and it was an incredible first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization,” she said. “We fought through a ton of adversity, and it was important to me that we have a chance to see through what we started. I have a feeling this is going to be another special season, so I’m excited to get things started and to, of course, keep playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”
The Missouri Tigers alum delivered exactly that spice during her injury-shortened 2025 season. Despite appearing in just 30 games, Cunningham still finished fourth on the Fever in both scoring (257 points) and rebounding (105), while leading the club in three-point percentage at a sizzling 43.2 percent — third-best in the entire WNBA. Her impact was never more evident than on July 11 against the Atlanta Dream, when she posted her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 99-82 victory.
Cunningham’s postseason heroics helped the Fever capture the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup Championship — the franchise’s first trophy in more than a decade. In the title game, the 6-foot-1 guard poured in 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, providing the kind of floor-spacing and competitive fire that elevated Indiana’s attack.
A six-year veteran before arriving in Indiana, Cunningham spent her first six professional seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, appearing in 182 games while shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc. Now, the Mizzou product — already etched in Tigers lore as the program’s all-time leading scorer — returns to a Fever roster eager to chase more silverware.
