Stephanie White Explains What Makes Sophie Cunningham ‘Important’ to Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has detailed the specific qualities that make veteran guard Sophie Cunningham a vital piece of the team’s success this season, praising her floor-stretching ability and leadership as the Fever prepare for a playoff push .
Cunningham has become a key contributor for Indiana, and White has now explained exactly why the 29-year-old is so valuable to the franchise, particularly in her role off the bench.
Versatility and Floor-Spacing
White highlighted Cunningham’s shooting ability and positional flexibility as crucial elements of the Fever’s rotation. “Her ability to make shots and put points on the board has been big. She gives us a little bit of a different look,” White said in comments shared by the Fever. “We’ve got, in our starting lineup, players who can put points on the board, certainly, and so having somebody who can come in and stretch the floor the way that Sophie can, who can give us the versatility to play multiple positions is important” .
Cunningham has thrived in that role this season, averaging 8.3 points per game—fourth-best on the team—while shooting an exceptional 43.4 percent from three-point range, the third-best mark in the league . Her scoring off the bench has provided a significant lift, highlighted by two games where she knocked down six 3-pointers to score 24 points .
Off-Court Leadership
Beyond her statistical contributions, White emphasized Cunningham’s vocal presence and leadership. “[She’s] also someone who’s sitting on the sideline, kind of watching how the game is playing out, who can come in and be a voice on the floor,” White said. “Whether it’s problem solving or continuing to encourage us to stay with what’s working” .
This leadership extends into the locker room as well. Cunningham, now in her eighth season, has expressed a desire to establish a long-term home in Indiana. “I want to have a home. I want to kind of get established, and I would love to get established in a place like Indiana,” Cunningham said. “When you find a group of girls who really make you fall in love with basketball again and you enjoy it, you enjoy them not only on the court but off the court, like you want to hold on to that” .
Embracing Her Role
Cunningham has fully embraced her role behind Indiana’s star trio of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. She recognizes the team’s offensive pecking order and focuses on making the most of her opportunities. “We just try to make sure they get the ball when they need it. We know they’re going to get the majority of the shots, and that’s how it should be. And you know, when we get the ball, we need to knock down our shots and do what the team needs. I’m just fortunate I get to play with them,” Cunningham said .
She has been a key part of Indiana’s success, with the Fever already securing a playoff spot . Cunningham has started just three games this season after starting 13 in 2025, but her effectiveness off the bench has put her in the conversation for Sixth Player of the Year honors .
Unwavering Support Amid Controversy
The bond between White and Cunningham extends beyond tactical fit. Earlier this season, a hard foul from Chicago Sky’s DiJonai Carrington left Cunningham with a bloody mouth, sparking significant controversy . White faced backlash from some fans and commentators who felt she didn’t defend her player enough after initially suggesting Carrington didn’t intend to target the neck .
The criticism intensified to the point where White addressed the situation passionately in a pregame press conference, defending her commitment to her players. “I take personally, any suggestions that I don’t 100% always have my players’ back. I ride with them 10 toes down all the time. All the time. They know that,” White said . She also condemned what she called “hate, fear-mongering, divisiveness” trying to hijack the league, declaring, “I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell” .
Cunningham publicly supported her coach through the scrutiny. “Our locker room in there, it’s tight, and we have each other’s backs. Coach loves us,” Cunningham said. “Me and Steph are great. Steph is great with all of us. And so it’s really the outside noise that’s trying to distract us, but we’re good” . Clark also came to White’s defense, saying, “We’re going to ride for her, and we’re always going to have her back” .
Award Recognition and Playoff Impact
The Fever have officially put Cunningham forward for Sixth Player of the Year honors, a testament to her impact . Her reliability has been central to Indiana’s success; she’s missed just one game this season, battling through a nagging elbow injury .
As the WNBA season resumes following the FIBA World Cup break, Cunningham is expected to remain a key figure for the Fever as they target a deep playoff run . Whether as a vocal presence on the bench or a sharpshooter on the court, Cunningham has proven to be exactly the kind of player White describes: an important piece of the Indiana Fever puzzle .
