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Sophie Cunningham emerged as one of the leaders on the Indiana Fever during the 2025 season as she fiercely defended Caitlin Clark and the rest of her teammates at various times of the year.
Cunningham was asked the question of whether she will return to Indiana for at least the 2026 season, as she was set to be a free agent. On Sunday, however, she made the decision to return to the fever.
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong talks with WNBA star Sophie Cunningham before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on February 25, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Indiana and Cunningham agreed to a one-year contract, the team announced.
“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 via the team’s website. “We fought through a lot 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 going and of course keep playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham reacts after the Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream in game three of round one of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga., on Sept. 18, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
CAITLIN CLARK’S FEVER MAKES MORE KEY OFF-SEASON SIGNINGS IN CHAMPIONSHIP PUSH
Cunningham played 30 games for Indiana before her season was cut short by an MCL tear. She averaged 8.6 points per game. game and shot a career-high 43.2% from 3-point range.
Feberen expects her to be a key piece for the team that wants to run for a championship.
“I think she’s always willing to step in and do whatever it takes to win,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said.
“… When you have a shooter like Sophie — someone who is consistently at the top of the league every single year in terms of her efficiency from beyond the arc — it really helps everybody else as well … Everything she brings to the table as a competitor, I think will impact us.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reacts during a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona on August 7, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Even with injuries to Cunningham and Clark, Indiana finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 24–20 record. Indiana upset the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to the Las Vegas Aces in five games in the semifinals.
