Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is putting in the work ahead of what promises to be a massive 2026 WNBA campaign.
A torn MCL forced the 29-year-old to play just 30 games in her first year alongside Caitlin Clark.
Her impact was immediate. Cunningham averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, shooting a career-high 43.2% from 3-point range.
Now, bigger things are expected from Indiana’s beloved enforcer in year two. The Fever finished 24-20 last season and reached the WNBA semifinals. Cunningham is a key piece of their plans to go even further. This offseason, she is doing everything in her power to live up to those expectations.
WNBA: Sophie Cunningham opens up about physically and mentally demanding road to full recovery
Cunningham has kept herself plenty busy this offseason. Away from the hardwood, she launched the 1st Annual Sophie Cunningham Golf Classic. The Fever guard has also kept her “Show Me Something” podcast rolling, releasing new episodes weekly.
Still, above everything else, Cunningham has made her knee rehabilitation the top priority. Getting back to full strength after a serious surgical procedure is no easy task, physically or mentally.
Cunningham has been transparent about the grind. She recently posted a TikTok clip of herself, out of breath and drenched in sweat. She gave fans an unfiltered look at what the process demands.
“Ok, I’m dying. I just did a mountain for conditioning for the first time since college,” she said in the clip. “And if you don’t know that, God bless your soul. But it’s — you start at one sprint, two down the backs, two down backs, all the way to 10. And then once you get the 10, you go to 10. And then you go nine down backs, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. And I’m like, officially dying, holy cow.”
The seven-year WNBA veteran added, “There’s certain things in sports that never get easier. And conditioning is one of them. Officially dying.”
@sophiechamshould I post my workouts?♬ original sound – S O P H I E
Cunningham is leaving no stone unturned in her comeback bid. She is determined to arrive in Indiana as the best version of herself, ready to help the Fever take the next step.
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