Every team has a spark. But sometimes, that spark turns into a wildfire—and Sophie Cunningham is right in the middle of it.
Known for her fierce energy and love of hyping up the crowd, Sophie isn’t just fueling herself these days. She’s feeding off something bigger: a bond with her teammates that’s unlike anything she’s ever experienced in her seven years in the WNBA.
“This is a really unique and special team,” she said with a genuine smile. “In the locker room, we really do love each other.”
It’s a strong statement—but one that’s clearly true. Sophie talks about long practices that should be exhausting but somehow turn into moments of support and togetherness. Sometimes, they literally hold hands to get through it. It sounds like something out of a movie, but for this team, it’s real life.
And the emotional glue holding them together? That comes from the little moments. Like seeing Kelsey Plum—one of the more reserved players—let her guard down and show some fire on the court.
“You don’t ever see Kelsey get like that,” Sophie said. “But when we see her like that, we’re like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re in it.’”
It’s in those rare flashes that Sophie lights up even more. Her joy becomes electric. Her energy turns up a notch. And the team? They ride the wave together.
“That kind of moment brings it out of me too,” she admitted. “When people are smiling, when we’re feeding off each other, it’s just easy.”
It’s a powerful combination: talent, unity, and fun. And according to Sophie, it’s also intimidating to the competition.
“When other teams see that,” she said with a grin, “it’s game over.”
Sophie isn’t just celebrating points or wins—she’s celebrating a connection that goes deeper than the scoreboard. This team is having fun. They’re supporting one another. And for Sophie, that makes all the difference.
“I’ve never felt like this in the W,” she said simply. And when a veteran like Sophie Cunningham says that, it means something.
So if you see her out there, smiling, yelling, firing up the crowd—know that it’s not just hype. It’s heart. It’s real. And it’s the secret behind this team’s growing momentum.
