If there’s one thing Sophie Cunningham isn’t known for, it’s keeping quiet. And when it comes to her excitement about playing with Caitlin Clark, she’s practically shouting from the rooftops. Or at least, from every possible interview. “I will be her Sabrina Carpenter any day, to her Taylor Swift. Like, I am so excited for this,” said an ecstatic former Phoenix Mercury standout when it was revealed that she would be teaming up with Caitlin Clark in the upcoming WNBA season.

When the Indiana Fever acquired Cunningham, the move showed their intent to build a competitive squad around their rookie sensation CC. Not only did they want to resolve their frontcourt issues, but they also wanted to ensure their backcourt had plenty of depth. Now, it seems like the newest member has given fans a reason to never let their excitement go dull, sending what appeared to be a warning to the 12 other WNBA teams.

“She has changed our game in the best possible way in every way,” Cunningham remarked about Clark. “Just to be alongside of her and maybe relieve the pressure, being able to shoot and spread the court for her to go do her thing… I want her to go do her thing and anything she needs from me I’m gonna be here.” She added with characteristic flair, “I’m fierce, I’m sassy. I stick up for my teammates. I stick up for myself. Sometimes, I think that’s okay to be feisty and be yourself.“ ​

To Cunningham’s credit, she’s not just a hype machine. She’s known for her feisty, tough-nosed style of play and isn’t afraid to get under opponents’ skin. If Clark was in need of an enforcer, Cunningham might just be the perfect teammate! Notably, she averaged 8.9 points and shot 37.8% from beyond the arc with the Mercury in 2024. Drafted as the 13th overall pick in the second round, the guard brings 6 seasons of WNBA experience to the Fever. Her veteran presence will be a huge asset, providing valuable depth off the bench and stepping in to support either Kelsey Mitchell or Caitlin Clark when needed.

While there is no information yet on the exact role Cunningham will have in the team, it is fair to say that she is more than optimistic. “This is just a new style, and this is the style that I thrive in,” Cunningham said. “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.”

As for Clark, she has already proven to be a game-changer. She shattered college records, drew unprecedented TV ratings, and possesses the kind of deep-range shooting that forces defenses to pick their poison. And this off-season, she has been in the gym. A lot! Fans recently freaked out over pictures of Clark looking significantly more muscular, proving that she’s not here to mess around. Even her former coach, Raina Harmon, confirmed that Clark’s been putting in serious work to elevate her game. Given how lethal she already is on the court, this is bad news for defenders everywhere.

What’s more is that Fever’s smart roster moves don’t end with Sophie Cunningham. The team has retained key scorer Kelsey Mitchell and brought in DeWanna Bonner, a veteran with championship experience. They also acquired Natasha Howard to take care of their defensive grit. If the chemistry clicks, this team could be much more formidable than last year’s version.

Caitlin Clark is happy with the Fever’s post-season moves.

The offseason for the Indiana Fever kicked off with a front-office shuffle. Amber Cox, a seasoned WNBA executive, took over as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. Her arrival signaled big things ahead. “I am excited to be joining the Fever during this historic time in the WNBA… I look forward to contributing to a world-class experience for our fans, as well as our players, both on and off the court,” Cox said, probably while also plotting the team’s next big move like a master chess player.

Meanwhile, the Fever made the tough call to part ways with head coach Christie Sides after two seasons. Despite leading them back to the playoffs after eight seasons, the franchise is eyeing the next level. Team President Kelly Krauskopf put it best: “While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals.”

Caitlin Clark then gave her stamp of approval to these changes, saying, “I’m really excited. I think Kelly [Krauskopf] and Amber [Cox] have done a really good job of finding pieces that fit. It makes me excited about the future.” 

With Fever’s roster changes, on paper, the team looks like a complete one. ESPN’s Michael Voepel was also impressed, awarding the Fever an A for their offseason moves. And Clark agrees, as she said, “They know what it takes to win, they know what it takes to get to the Finals, they know what it takes to win championships. I think it’s exactly what we needed in our locker room“.

Also, remember that the Fever covers all corners. They aren’t just stacking talent—they’re building camaraderie, too. Clark and Bonner got a head start on team bonding by hitting the gym together before Bonner’s official press conference. We understand why that might sound surprising, considering that these two were on opposite ends of a feisty playoff scuffle. But everything is cool now. “I think it was just two competitive players who wanted to win and push their teams to get to the finish line,” Bonner said, “but I’m excited to step on the court with Caitlin“.

With the Indiana superstar clearly happy with the moves, it’s shaping up to be an interesting season. Having players like Cunningham on your side who are willing to do anything to see the team succeed certainly helps. Fever will be a team to watch out for this season as they aim to bring the championship back to Indiana after 2012.