The veteran looks directly into the camera and says something that has Fever fans cheering and Caitlin Clark haters scrambling:

“I think we are going to win a championship.” Sheryl Swoopes is furious.

Caitlin Clark Receives High Praise From New Fever Teammate Sophie Cunningham

New Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham shared high praise toward teammate Caitlin Clark as she spoke to the media after arriving at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Cunningham, who was part of a four-team trade that saw her go from the Phoenix Mercury to the Fever in January, gave Clark credit for her impact on basketball.“She has changed our game in the best possible way and every way,” Cunningham told reporters on Tuesday. “I want her to go do her thing and anything she needs from me I’m gonna be here.”

https://x.com/nosyone4/status/1899501434569163149

Cunningham previously connected with Clark briefly last summer at the WNBA All-Star Game. She was also complimentary of how Clark has handled the pressure and attention that’s been on her since she played for Iowa, and hopes to support her new teammate.

“She’s just had a lot of pressure on her shoulders,” Cunningham said of Clark. “No one’s walked in her footsteps, so it’s really easy to judge and just say things. At the end of the day, we just all need to empower each other and be there for each other. She’s done a lot, and that rookie class, to bring attention to our league and it’s needed. That’s what we’ve always wanted. why would we not embrace them and make sure they’re good?”

Cunningham is one of several players the Fever have brought in to bolster their roster around Clark after falling in the first round of the playoffs last season. They have also added Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sydney Colson to the team, as well as new head coach Stephanie White.

What Sophie Cunningham said about Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever roster, scheme fit

Sophie Cunningham came to Indianapolis on Tuesday for her Indiana Fever introductory news conference. The 28-year-old entering her seventh WNBA season previously played for the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her 13th overall in 2019.

Cunningham averaged 7.7 points in Phoenix, though she averaged 12.6 and made 40% of her 3-pointers in 2022, when she was third in Most Improved Player voting. In 2024, she averaged 8.4 points and made 37.8% from long range.

She joins a roster headlined by Caitlin Clark and includes Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Lexie Hull and Brianna Turner.

Here’s what Cunningham had to say Tuesday.

Sophie Cunningham talks about Caitlin Clark

“I just think she’s had a lot of pressure put on her shoulder. A lot of people haven’t walked in her footsteps, so it’s easy to judge and to say things. I think we have to be there for each other and empower each other.

“That rookie class brought a lot of attention to our league, and that’s what we needed. That’s what we’ve wanted, so why would we not embrace them and make sure they’re good.

“When we first played them, I said, ‘Hey, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing a great job. If you need anything, reach out,’ which is not like me. I’m usually, ‘Eh, whatever.’

“At the All-Star game, we were just having fun. She was playing, I was having a good time on the sideline. I told her, ‘Hey, if you ever want to come to Phoenix, let me know.’ That kind of backfired on me. Now I’m here, which is great.”

Sophie Cunningham on 2025 Indiana Fever roster

“I think that our team right now is turning heads. DeWanna Bonner, getting her was huge. She was one of my vets when I was a rookie coming in. And she’s no one to mess with. You have Natasha Howard, you have Aliyah Boston, you have Kelsey Mitchell. We just have a squad, and our depth is amazing. I’m just excited.

“To be honest, when you have a group that can let go of the egos and come here to win and work hard, I think that’s the best type of group. When you’re all willing to do the dirty work, that’s what I’m most excited about. That’s my bread and butter right there, to outwork your opponents, and have fun doing it.”

Sophie Cunningham’s initial impression of joining Indiana Fever

“I’m stoked. I’m so, so excited. I think it’s refreshing. I’m been in Phoenix for the past six years, which drafted me. I’ve had a really great time. I’ve been really blessed, being around a lot of GOATs of the game, and learning the game at a higher level.

“But again, this is just a new style, a style that I thrive in, when you have people who can shoot the ball, who move the ball, who are run-and-gunners, and share the ball, this is the type of offense that I want to be in. I’m just stoked.

“… I’m also surrounded by a great culture and great people, and that’s what I’m also very excited about.

“My first thought was, ‘Oh, heck yeah, we’re about to go win a championship.’ That’s exactly where my mind went. It’s all about the people; it’s about the culture. I learned a lot out there, but I’m ready to move on, to something bigger and better, and have a lot of great players around me to seriously go win a championship.”