Sophie Cunningham, now a guard for the Indiana Fever, has an athletic background that extends beyond the basketball court. Born on August 16, 1996, in Columbia, Missouri, to parents with a strong athletic history, Cunningham was exposed to sports from a young age. Her mother, Paula, was a track and field athlete, while her father, Jim, played football, both at the University of Missouri. This environment naturally fostered her passion for sports.

Cunningham excelled early on, attending Rock Bridge High School where she became the school's all-time leading scorer. She led her team to four consecutive state championships and earned accolades such as McDonald's All-American and Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Her success continued at the University of Missouri, where she played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers. There, she became the all-time leading scorer for the Tigers, amassing 2,187 points and earning First-Team All-SEC honors multiple times.

Selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Cunningham quickly proved her value with her versatility and defensive skills. In January 2025, she was traded to the Indiana Fever, marking a new chapter in her professional career.

While Cunningham's basketball achievements are well-documented, there's another interesting dimension to her athletic past: martial arts. Multiple sources confirm that Sophie Cunningham achieved a black belt in Taekwondo at the young age of six. This early training instilled discipline and control, qualities that likely contributed to her competitive nature and on-court tenacity.

Recently, Cunningham has been making headlines not just for her basketball skills but also for her fiery defense of her teammate, Caitlin Clark. During a game against the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham committed a hard foul on Jacy Sheldon, leading to a scuffle and ejections for both players along with Lindsay Allen. This incident earned Cunningham the nickname "the enforcer" among Fever fans, who appreciated her standing up for Clark amid perceived physical play from opponents.

Some observers suggest that Cunningham's actions might stem from a broader frustration with the WNBA officials' handling of the game's physicality. Others see it as a display of team solidarity and a message to the league that the Fever will protect their star player. Regardless of the motivation, the incident has further cemented Cunningham's reputation as a fierce competitor who isn't afraid to mix it up on the court.

Cunningham's diverse athletic background, from her family's sporting legacy to her early martial arts training, has shaped her into the player she is today. Now with the Indiana Fever, she brings a combination of skill, toughness, and a willingness to stand up for her teammates.